JOHN  PAUL JONES 


COMMEMORATION 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

COMMEMORATION 


The  illustrations  in  this  volume  are  published 
by  permission  of  the  owners  of  the  originals. 
Many  of  them  are  protected  by  copyright,  and 
are  not  to  be  reproduced  without  permission. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
From  the  terra  cotta  colored  bust,  by  Houdon,  now  in  the  National  Academy  of  Design,  New  York. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
From  the  terra  eotta  colored  bust,  by  Houdon,  now  in  the  National  Academy  of  Design,  New  York. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

COMMEMORATION   AT  ANNAPOLIS 
APRIL  24,  1906 


$ 


<e        <a^ 


COMPILED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF  THE  JOINT 
COMMITTEE  ON  PRINTING  BY  CHARLES  W.  STEWART 
SUPERINTENDENT  LIBRARY  AND  NAVAL  WAR  RECORDS 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 
1907 


RESOLUTION  OF  CONGRESS 

CONCURRENTLY  ADOPTED   JUNE   29,   1906 

rsoford  bu  tlj*  ijnua*  nf  VitpttBtntativta  (tl|*  &tmtt  rattrarrittg) ,  That 
there  be  printed  and  bound  11,000  copies  of  the  addresses  delivered 
at  the  exercises  commemorative  of  John  Paul  Jones,  at  the  Naval 
Academy,  Annapolis,  Md.,  April  24,  1906,  together  with  other  papers 
and  illustrations  germane  thereto,  to  be  compiled  and  published  under 
the  direction  of  the  Joint  Committee  on  Printing;  7,000  for  the  use  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  3,000  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  and  1,000 
for  distribution  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

4 


\\ 


No? 


CONTENTS 

Page 

Introduction o 

I.  Addresses  at  Annapolis,  April  24,  1906: 

Address  of  President  Roosevelt 15 

Address  of  Ambassador  Jusserand 21 

Address  of  General  Porter 25 

Address  of  Governor  Warfield 35 

Prayer  of  Chaplain  Clark 41 

II.  Papers  and  reports.     Discovery,  identification,  and  transfer  of  remains  of 
John  Paul  Jones: 

Message  from  the  President 43 

Report  of  General  Porter  49 

Address  of  General  Porter  in  Paris. 73 

Official  certification  by  the  American  Embassy  and  Consulate  of 

the  identification  of  the  body 76 

Report  of  Doctor  Capitan 81 

Report  of  Doctor  Papillault 87 

Report  of  Professor  Cornil 93 

Report  of  Engineer  Weiss 95 

Report  of  Rear- Admiral  Sigsbee,  U.  S.  Navy 101 

III.  Letters  of  John  Paul  Jones: 

Petition  for  admission  as  a  Mason 115 

Letter  to  Joseph  Hewes 117 

Letter  to  Robert  Morris 121 

Letter  to  the  Countess  of  Selkirk 123 

Letter  from  Lord  Selkirk 127 

Letter  from  Lord   Selkirk.     Acknowledgment   of   return   of  silver 

taken  April  23,  1778 131 

Report  of  John  Paul  Jones.     Cruise  of  U.  S.  ship  Ranger  and  capture 

of  H.  B.  M.  ship  Drake 133 

Report  of  John  Paul  Jones.     Cruise  of  U.  S.  ship  Bonhomme  Richard 

and  squadron,  and  capture  of  H.  B.  M.  ships  Serapis  and  Countess 

of  Scarborough 139 

Certificate  of  Messrs.  Van  Berckel  and  Dumas 151 

Letter  to  Robert  Morris 155 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Belches 164 

IV.  Chronology 165 

Appendix: 

Letter  from  U.  S.  Consul-General  Gowdy  to  Representative  Landis 195 

French  officers  and  officials  who  took  part  in  the  ceremonies  at  Paris 196 

Address  of  Junior  Special  Ambassador  Loomis  in  Paris 198 

Address  of  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee,  U.  S.  Navy,  in  Paris 201 

Address  of  Vice-Admiral  Besson,  French  navy,  at  Cherbourg,  July  8,  1905 .  202 

Ceremonies  at  U.  S.  Naval  Academy,  July  24,  1905 203 

Order  of  Rear-Admiral  Sands,  U.  S.  Navy 204 

Order  of  Captain  Colvocoresses,  U.  S.  Navy 205 

List  of  commanding  officers  in  the  French  and  American  naval  forces 

assembled  at  Annapolis,  April  24,  1906 206 

Description  of  swords 208 

List  of  recipients  of  casts  of  the  bust  in  National  Academy  of  Design 209 

Notes  regarding  John  Paul  Jones 210 

5 


M769G78 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Facing  page 
Profile   and   three-quarters   face   of   Houdon   bust   in  National  Academy  of 

Design,  New  York Frontispiece 

Speakers'  stand  and  casket 14 

Dress  sword  presented  by  Louis  XVI.  to  John  Paul  Jones 20 

Profile  and  front  view  of  bust  from  De  Biron  collection 24 

View  of  armory  from  center  of  NW.  gallery 34 

Portrait  by  Miss  Beaux,  1906 40 

Portrait  from  engraving  by  Moreau 42 

Trocadero  plaster  bust 48 

Head  of  John  Paul  Jones 48 

Composite  print  of  Trocadero  plaster  bust  and  human  head 48 

Scene  of  the  search 54 

Plan  of  the  cemetery  of  St.  Louis  in  1792 56 

Plan  of  buildings  covering  cemetery  in  1905 56 

Cross  section  of  the  cemetery 56 

Plan  of  the  shafts  and  galleries 56 

The  first  shaft 60 

Refilling  the  galleries 68 

House  in  Paris  in  which  John  Paul  Jones  died 72 

Portrait  from  frontispiece  of  "Memoires  de  Paul  Jones,"  1798 80 

Portrait  from  sketch  by  unknown  artist  at  Amsterdam  Theater,  1779 80 

Naval  Academy  miniature 86 

Portrait  from  engraving  by  Henri  Toussaint,  1906 92 

Microphotographs  of  sections  of  kidneys,  lungs,  and  liver  of  John  Paul  Jones. 

(See  note,  p.  94.) 

View  of  the  yard  over  the  cemetery 94 

Place  where  the  body  was  found 94 

French  artillery  caisson  bearing  the  coffin 100 

American  sailors  crossing  the  bridge  of  Alexander  III 100 

Petition  of  John  Paul  for  admission  as  a  Mason 114 

Portrait  in  British  Museum 120 

Facsimile  of  first  and  last  pages  of  letter  to  Countess  of  Selkirk  from  the 

original  at  St.  Mary's  Isle 122 

Facsimile  of  gold  medal 138 

Sword  said  to  have  been  carried  by  John  Paul  Jones  during  the  American 

Revolution 138 

Facsimile  of  letter  to  Mrs.  Belches 164 

Wax  medallion 164 

Facsimile  of  invitation •  206 

Facsimile  of  programme  cover 206 

Plan  of  armory 206 

7 


INTRODUCTION 


THIS  volume  has  been  compiled  in  the  office  of  Library  and  Naval 
War  Records,  Navy  Department,  under  authorization  of  the  Joint 
Committee  on  Printing.     It  includes : 

The  addresses  delivered  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy,  April 
24,  1906,  printed  from  copy  furnished  by  the  distinguished  speakers  of 
the  day; 

The  official  report  of  General  Horace  Porter  to  the  State  Department, 
with  inclosures  and  illustrations  which  set  forth  the  search  for,  dis- 
covery, and  identification  of  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones; 

An  extract  from  the  report  of  Rear- Admiral  Sigsbee  describing  the 
most  important  ceremonies  connected  with  the  John  Paul  Jones  expe- 
dition, including  the  transfer  in  Paris  of  the  body  from  First  Special 
Ambassador  Porter  to  Junior  Special  Ambassador  Loomis,  and  from  the 
latter  to  Rear- Admiral  Sigsbee,  and  its  transportation  from  Paris  to  the 
United  States  Naval  Academy  and  deposit  in  the  now  historic  brick 
vault,  where  it  lay  under  guard  for  the  nine  months  preceding  April  24, 
1906; 

Letters  and  illustrations  selected  from  authentic  correspondence  and 
portraiture  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  character  and  personal  appear- 
ance of  our  first  great  sea  fighter; 

The  chronology,  prepared  mainly  from  carded  data  collected  in  searches 
for  information  in  answer  to  inquiries. 

General  Porter's  report  includes  plans  and  illustrations  which  show  in 
part  the  dangers  and  difficulties  which  he  encountered  and  overcame. 
The  reports  of  the  official  engineer  who  supervised  the  excavations  and 
of  the  physicians  and  microscopist  who  examined  the  body  establish  the 
thoroughness  of  the  explorations  of  the  cemetery  and  the  pathological 
conditions  that  existed  within  the  body  at  the  time  of  death.  The  illus- 
tration by  means  of  microphotographs  of  vital  organs  of  a  man  born  in 
1747  is  unique.  These  reports  are  an  important  part  of  the  testimony 
that  establishes  the  identity  of  the  body. 

The  report  of  Rear- Admiral  Sigsbee  is  a  part  of  the  history  of  France 
and  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

9 


io  Introduction 


The  facsimiles  of  Jones's  writing,  dated  1770,  1778,  and  1786,  having 
the  characteristic  signatures  Jno.  Paul,  Jno.  P.  Jones,  and  J.  Paul  Jones 
(or  Paul  Jones)  have  been  prepared  from  the  originals  now  preserved 
in  Scotland.  The  portraits  here  reproduced  (except  those  by  Henri 
Toussaint  and  Miss  Beaux)  were  probably  made  during  the  life  of  John 
Paul  Jones. 

It  is  not  possible  to  determine  that  every  statement  in  the  chronology 
is  accurate,  but  a  reference  for  every  item  is  given  in  convenient  form, 
and  statements  known  to  be  incorrect  generally  have  been  omitted. 


SUMMARY 

THE  24th  of  April,  1906,  was  chosen  for  the  commemorative  exer- 
cises in  honor  of  John  Paul  Jones  by  President  Roosevelt  because 
it  was  the  anniversary  of  Jones's  famous  capture  of  the  British 
ship  of  war  Drake \  off  Carrickfergus,  in  1778.  This  date  occurred 
during  the  session  of  Congress,  the  academic  year  at  the  United  States 
Naval  Academy,  and  the  convention  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution  in  Washington. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Hon.  Charles  J.  Bonaparte,  issued  the 
invitations.  The  admirable  arrangements  at  the  United  States  Naval 
Academy  were  made  by  Rear-Admiral  Sands,  U.  S.  Navy,  Superin- 
tendent. Invitations  were  sent  to  the  President;  the  ambassador  and 
embassy  of  France;  the  principal  officers  of  the  Government,  legisla- 
tive, executive,  and  judicial;  the  Navy;  the  Army;  governors  of  States; 
the  militia;  patriotic  societies,  and  distinguished  men  and  women  of 
America.  Cards  of  admission  were  mailed,  as  acceptances  were  received, 
by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  Special  trains  were  provided  for  the 
Presidential  and  Congressional  parties  from  Washington  and  the  regu- 
lar train  service  was  increased  from  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
and  Washington  to  Annapolis. 

April  24  was  clear  and  cool  with  a  fresh  northwesterly  breeze.  The 
Presidential  train  arrived  at  Annapolis  at  12:45  P-  m-  an^  was  met  by 
the  Superintendent  of  the  Naval  Academy  and  the  academic  board  with 
automobiles.  A  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  U.  S.  S.  Hartford, 
the  famous  old  flagship  of  Farragut  at  New  Orleans  and  Mobile  Bay. 
Two  companies  of  the  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Cavalry,  under  Col.  Charles 
A.  P.  Hatfield,  U.  S.  Army,  furnished  an  escort  to  the  Superintend- 
ent's house,  where  luncheon  was  served.  The  President  and  party,  in 
motor  cars,  were  then  escorted  by  a  battalion  of  midshipmen  to  the 
armory,  through  lines  of  midshipmen,  French  sailors,  United  States 
sailors,  marines,  troopers,  and  thousands  of  cheering  spectators.  The 
President,  with  the  speakers  of  the  day,  escorted  by  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  and  the  Superintendent,  entered  the  armory  at  2.24  p.  m. 
and  mounted  the  speakers'  stand.  The  audience  rose  and  remained 
standing  while  the  Baltimore  Oratorio  Society  sang  the  ' '  Star-Spangled 
Banner. ' ' 


12  Introduction 


The  casket  containing  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones  rested  upon  tres- 
tles before  the  stand,  under  a  guard  composed  of  petty  officers  of  the 
navies  of  France  and  the  United  States.  The  casket  was  draped  with 
the  Union  Jack,  and  upon  it  lay  a  wreath  of  laurel,  a  spray  of  palm, 
and  the  gold-mounted  sword  presented  by  Louis  XVI  of  France  to  the 
conqueror  of  the  Serapis.  The  armory  and  speakers'  stand  were  deco- 
rated with  the  colors  of  France  and  the  United  States  of  America. 
Facing  the  stand  and  casket  were  Admiral  George  Dewey,  U.  S.  Navy; 
Rear- Admiral  Campion,  commanding  the  French  squadron;  Rear- 
Admirals  Charles  H.  Davis  and  Royal  B.  Bradford,  U.  S.  Navy,  com- 
manding United  States  squadrons.  Behind  these  flag-officers  were 
seated  their  aids,  the  visiting  officers  of  France,  and  the  heads  of 
departments  of  the  Academy.  Seats  on  each  side  of  this  central  section 
faced  toward  the  center  of  the  armory.  Sections  of  seats  were  reserved 
for  Senators  and  Members  of  Congress  and  other  special  parties.  The 
audience  was  representative  of  the  patriotism  and  traditions  of  the 
nation.  The  Senate,  the  House,  the  Cabinet,  every  branch  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  national  patriotic  societies  were  represented. 

The  silence  that  followed  the  singing  of  the  ' '  Star-Spangled  Banner ' ' 
was  broken  by  the  clear,  incisive  voice  of  Hon.  Charles  J.  Bonaparte, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  presenting  the  President. 

The  President  spoke  for  thirty  minutes  and  was  frequently  interrupted 
by  applause.  Every  speaker  was  presented  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
and  each  received  close  attention  and  warm  approval.  The  official 
programme  was  executed  without  variation. 

The  exercises  in  the  armory  closed  at  4.38  p.  m.  with  the  rendering 
of  "How  Sleep  the  Brave."  The  audience  stood  in  silence  and  the 
casket  was  taken  to  the  space  beneath  the  stairs  in  Bancroft  Hall,  where, 
in  the  presence  of  the  distinguished  officials,  Chaplain  Clark,  U.  S.  Navy, 
offered  a  simple  prayer,  the  last  rite  of  the  official  programme.  The 
casket,  draped  with  the  Union  Jack,  was  left  under  the  care  of  a  marine 
guard,  where  it  will  remain  until  transferred  to  the  crypt  in  the  Naval 
Academy  chapel. 

The  President  of  the  United  States  sent  to  the  President  of  France 
the  following  telegram : 

[Cablegram.] 

The  White  House, 

Washington,  April  24,  1906. 
To  the  President  of  France: 

On  the  occasion  of  the  formal  reception  at  Annapolis  of  the  body  of  John  Paul 
Jones  I  wish  to  thank  you  and,  through  you,  the  great  French  nation  for  its  distin- 
guished courtesy  in  connection  with  this  event — a  courtesy  of  a  kind  which  serves 
to  keep  even  more  vividly  before  us  the  invaluable  aid  rendered  by  France  to  this 
country  at  what  was  well-nigh  the  most  critical  period  of  its  history.  France  holds 
a  peculiar  place  in  the  heart  of  the  American  people,  and  on  behalf  of  that  people 
I  wish  all  success,  prosperity,  and  happiness  to  the  mighty  Republic  over  which 
you  preside. 

Theodore  Roosevei/t. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  13 

Thus  ended  the  formal  official  ceremonies  relating  to  the  homecoming 
of  John  Paul  Jones.  There  is  no  event  in  our  history  attended  with 
such  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glory,  magnificence,  and  patriotic  fervor. 

Events  other  than  commemorative  ceremonies  were  as  follows: 

April  21,  1906:  French  squadron  of  armored  cruisers,  Amiral  Aube, 
Condi,  and  Marseillaise,  under  Rear- Admiral  Campion,  arrived  at 
Annapolis. 

April  23:  Rear- Admiral  Campion  and  ranking  French  naval  officers 
visited  Washington;  at  2  p.  m.,  reception  at  the  White  House,  followed 
by  receptions  at  Navy  Department  and  War  Department.  In  the  even- 
ing a  dinner,  followed  by  a  reception,  at  the  White  House. 

April  24:  At  Annapolis,  luncheon  to  Presidential  party  by  the  Super- 
intendent. Receptions  by  Governor  Warfield  and  Mrs.  Warfield  and 
officers  of  the  Naval  Academy. 

April  25:  At  1.30  p.  m.  luncheon  given  to  French  officers  by  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy  at  the  New  Willard  Hotel.  In  evening  a  dinner, 
followed  by  a  reception,  at  the  embassy  of  France. 

April  26:  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy  Newberry  entertained 
French  naval  officers  aboard  the  U.  S.  S.  Dolphin  on  a  visit  to  Mount 
Vernon.  The  ambassador  of  France  and  Rear-Admiral  Campion 
attended  at  Annapolis  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  monument 
to  French  sailors  and  soldiers  who  died  in  the  American  Revolution. 

April  27:  The  French  squadron  sailed  from  Annapolis  Roads. 

The  collection  of  data  presented  in  this  volume  has  been  made  possible 
by  the  assistance  of  many  persons.  Gen.  Horace  Porter;  Capt.  John  S. 
Barnes;  D.  Appleton  &  Co.;  Mr.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan;  Mr.  Herbert  Put- 
nam, Librarian  of  Congress,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Eastman;  Capt.  John  Hope, 
R.  N.;  Rear- Admiral  C.  H.  Stockton,  U.  S.  Navy;  Capt.  G.  P.  Colvo- 
coresses,  U.  S.  Navy;  Prof.  Philip  R.  Alger,  U.  S.  Navy;  Pay  Director 
Joseph  Foster,  U.  S.  Navy;  Mr.  Robert  W.  Neeser;  Mr.  H.  C.  Gauss; 
Mr.  J.  G.  Wood,  of  Edenton,  N.  C,  and  many  others  have  furnished 
information,  illustrations,  or  correspondence.  Their  courtesy,  consid- 
eration, and  interest  are  gratefully  acknowledged. 

Charles  W.  Stewart, 
Superintendent  Library  and  Naval   War  Records,   Compiler. 


SPEAKERS'  STAND  AND  CASKET  IN  ARMORY  OF  UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  ACADEMY,  APRIL  24,  1906. 


View  from  center  of  northeast  gallery.     From  stereograph,  copyright,  1906,  by  Underwood  & 

Underwood,  New  York. 


I.  ADDRESSES  AT  ANNAPOLIS 
APRIL  24,  1906 

ADDRESS    OF    PRESIDENT    ROOSEVELT 

Secretary  of  the  navy  charges  j.  bonapartk  introduced 

the  President  in  the  following  words:  Fellow-Countrymen:  We  have 
met  to  honor  the  memory  of  that  man  who  gave  our  Navy  its  earliest 
traditions  of  heroism  and  victory.  The  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Navy 
is  of  right  the  first  to  speak  of  such  a  man  at  such  a  time.  You  will  hear 
the  President. 

ON  BEHALF  of  the  American  people  I  wish  to  thank  our  ancient 
ally,  the  great  French  nation,  that  proud  and  gallant  nation  to 
whose  help  we  once  owed  it  that  John  Paul  Jones  was  able  to 
win  for  the  Stars  and  Stripes  the  victory  that  has  given  him  deathless 
fame,  and  to  whose  courtesy  we  now  owe  it  that  the  body  of  the  long- 
dead  hero  has  been  sent  hither,  and  that  to  commemorate  the  reception 
of  the  illustrious  dead  a  squadron  of  French  war  ships  has  come  to  our 
shores. 

The  annals  of  the  French  navy  are  filled  with  the  names  of  brave 
and  able  seamen,  each  of  whom  courted  death  as  a  mistress  when  the 
honor  of  his  flag  was  at  stake ;  and  among  the  figures  of  these  brave 
men  there  loom  the  larger  shapes  of  those  who,  like  Tourville,  Duquesne, 
and  the  Bailli  de  Suffren,  won  high  renown  as  fleet  admirals,  inferior 
to  none  of  any  navy  of  their  day  in  martial  prowess. 

In  addition  to  welcoming  the  diplomatic  and  official  representatives 
of  France  here  present,  let  me  also  express  my  heartiest  acknowledg- 
ments to  our  former  ambassador  to  Paris,  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  to  whose 
zealous  devotion  we  particularly  owe  it  that  the  body  of  John  Paul 
Jones  has  been  brought  to  our  shores. 

When  the  body  was  thus  brought  over  the  representatives  of  many 
different  cities  wrote  to  me,  each   asking  that  it  should  find  its  last 

15 


16  Addresses 


resting  place  in  his  city.  But  I  feel  that  the  place  of  all  others  in 
which  the  memory  of  the  dead  hero  will  most  surely  be  a  living  force 
is  here  in  Annapolis,  where  year  by  year  we  turn  out  the  midshipmen 
who  are  to  officer  in  the  future  the  Navy,  among  whose  founders  the 
dead  man  stands  first.  Moreover,  the  future  naval  officers,  who  live 
within  these  walls,  will  find  in  the  career  of  the  man  whose  life  we  this 
day  celebrate,  not  merely  a  subject  for  admiration  and  respect,  but  an 
object  lesson  to  be  taken  into  their  innermost  hearts.  Every  officer  in 
our  Navy  should  know  by  heart  the  deeds  of  John  Paul  Jones.  Every 
officer  in  our  Navy  should  feel  in  each  fiber  of  his  being  an  eager  desire 
to  emulate  the  energy,  the  professional  capacity,  the  indomitable  deter- 
mination and  dauntless  scorn  of  death  which  marked  John  Paul  Jones 
above  all  his  fellows. 

The  history  of  our  Navy,  like  the  history  of  our  nation,  extends  over 
a  period  of  only  a  century  and  a  quarter ;  yet  we  already  have  many 
memories  of  pride  to  thrill  us  as  we  read  and  hear  of  what  has  been 
done  by  our  fighting  men  of  the  sea,  from  Perry  and  Macdonough  to 
Farragut  and  Dewey. a  These  memories  include  brilliant  victories,  and 
also,  now  and  then,  defeats  only  less  honorable  than  the  victories  them- 
selves; but  the  only  defeats  to  which  this  praise  can  be  given  are  those 
where,  against  heavy  odds,  men  have  stood  to  the  death  in  hopeless 
battle.  It  is  well  for  every  American  officer  to  remember  that  while 
a  surrender  may  or  may  not  be  defensible,  the  man  who  refuses  to 
surrender  need  never  make  a  defense.  The  one  fact  must  always  be 
explained;  the  other  needs  no  explanation.  Moreover,  he  who  would 
win  glory  and  honor  for  the  nation  and  for  himself,  must  not  too  closely" 
count  the  odds ;  if  he  does,  he  will  never  see  such  a  day  as  that  when 
Cushing  sank  the  Albemarle. 

In  his  fight  with  the  Serapis  Jones's  ship  was  so  badly  mauled  that 
his  opponent  hailed  him,  saying  "Has  your  ship  struck?"  to  which 
Jones  answered,  "I  have  not  yet  begun  to  fight."  The  spirit  which 
inspired  that  answer  upbore  the  man  who  gave  it  and  the  crew  who 
served  under  him  through  the  fury  of  the  battle,  which  finally  ended 

« The  President's  mention  of  the  name  of  Admiral  Dewey  brought  forth  hearty 
applause. 

The  President,  looking  directly  at  the  Admiral,  said  in  his  kindliest  manner: 
"Presidents  are  all  well  enough  in  their  way,  but  it's  worth  while  in  life  to  have 
had  a  First  of  May." 

The  audience  again  applauded  and  Rear-Admiral  Campion  heartily  shook  the 
hand  of  Admiral  Dewey. — Compiler. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  17 

in  their  triumph.  It  was  the  same  spirit  which  marked  the  com- 
manders of  the  Cumberland  and  the  Congress,  when  they  met  an  equally 
glorious  though  less  fortunate  fate.  The  Cumberland  sank,  her  flag 
flying,  and  her  guns  firing  with  the  decks  awash,  while,  when  sum- 
moned to  surrender,  Morris  replied,  " Never!  I'll  sink  alongside!" 
and  made  his  words  good.  Immediately  after  the  Cumberland  was 
sunk  the  Congress  was  attacked,  and  her  commander,  Lieut.  Joe  Smith, 
was  killed.  After  fighting  until  she  was  helpless,  and  being  unable 
to  bring  her  guns  to  bear,  the  ship  was  surrendered;  but  when  Smith's 
father,  old  Commodore  Joe  Smith,  who  was  on  duty  at  Washington, 
saw  by  the  dispatches  from  Fort  Monroe  that  the  Congress  had  hoisted 
the  white  flag,  he  said  quietly,  ''Then  Joe's  dead!"  Surely  no  father 
could  wish  to  feel  a  prouder  certainty  of  his  boy's  behavior  than  the 
old  commodore  showed  he  possessed  when  he  thus  spoke;  and  no 
naval   officer  could  hope  to  win  a  finer  epitaph. 

We  have  met  to-day  to  do  honor  to  the  mighty  dead.  Remember 
that  our  words  of  admiration  are  but  as  sounding  brass  and  tinkling 
cymbals  if  we  do  not  by  steady  preparation  and  by  the  cultivation  of 
soul  and  mind  and  body  fit  ourselves  so  that  in  time  of  need  we  shall 
be  prepared  to  emulate  their  deeds.  Let  every  midshipman  who  passes 
through  this  institution  remember,  as  he  looks  upon  the  tomb  of  John 
Paul  Jones,  that  while  no  courage  can  atone  for  the  lack  of  that 
efficiency  which  comes  only  through  careful  preparation  in  advance, 
through  careful  training  of  the  men,  and  careful  fitting  out  of  the 
engines  of  war,  yet  that  none  of  these  things  can  avail  unless  in  the 
moment  of  crisis  the  heart  rises  level  with  the  crisis.  The  navy  whose 
captains  will  not  surrender  is  sure  in  the  long  run  to  whip  the  navy 
whose  captains  will  surrender,  unless  the  inequality  of  skill  or  force  is 
prodigious.  The  courage  which  never  yields  can  not  take  the  place  of 
the  possession  of  good  ships  and  good  weapons  and  the  ability  skillfully 
to  use  these  ships  and  these  weapons. 

I  wish  that  our  people  as  a  whole,  and  especially  those  among  us 
who  occupy  high  legislative  or  administrative  positions,  would  study 
the  history  of  our  nation,  not  merely  for  the  purpose  of  national  self- 
gratification,  but  with  the  desire  to  learn  the  lessons  that  history 
teaches.  Let  the  men  who  talk  lightly  about  its  being  unnecessary 
for  us  now  to  have  an  army  and  navy  adequate  for  the  work  of  this 
nation  in  the  world  remember  that  such  utterances  are  not  merely 
7257—07 2 


18  Addresses 


foolish,  for  in  their  effects  they  may  at  any  time  be  fraught  with 
disaster  and  disgrace  to  the  nation's  honor  as  well  as  disadvantage 
to  its  interest.  Let  them  take  to  heart  some  of  the  lessons  which 
should  be  learned  by  the  study  of  the  War  of  1812. 

As  a  people  we  are  too  apt  to  remember  only  that  some  of  our 
ships  did  well  in  that  war.  We  had  a  few  ships — a  very  few  ships — 
and  they  did  so  well  as  to  show  the  utter  folly  of  not  having  enough 
of  them.  Thanks  to  our  folly  as  a  nation,  thanks  to  the  folly  that 
found  expression  in  the  views  of  those  at  the  seat  of  government, 
not  a  ship  of  any  importance  had  been  built  within  a  dozen  years 
before  the  war  began,  and  the  Navy  was  so  small  that,  when  once 
the  war  was  on,  our  opponents  were  able  to  establish  a  close  blockade 
throughout  the  length  of  our  coast,  so  that  not  a  ship  could  go  from 
one  port  to  another,  and  all  traffic  had  to  go  by  land.  Our  parsi- 
mony in  not  preparing  an  adequate  navy  (which  would  have  prevented 
the  war)  cost  in  the  end  literally  thousands  of  dollars  for  every 
one  dollar  we  thus  foolishly  saved.  After  two  years  of  that  war  an 
utterly  inconsiderable  British  force  of  about  four  thousand  men  was 
landed  here  in  the  bay,  defeated  with  ease  a  larger  body  of  raw 
troops  put  against  it,  and  took  Washington. 

I  am  sorry  to  say  that  those  of  our  countrymen  who  now  speak 
of  the  deed  usually  confine  themselves  to  denouncing  the  British  for 
having  burned  certain  buildings  in  Washington.  They  had  better 
spare  their  breath.  The  sin  of  the  invaders  in  burning  the  build- 
ings is  trivial  compared  with  the  sin  of  our  own  people  in  failing  to 
make  ready  an  adequate  force  to  defeat  the  attempt.  This  nation 
was  guilty  of  such  shortsightedness,  of  such  folly,  of  such  lack  of 
preparation  that  it  was  forced  supinely  to  submit  to  the  insult  and 
was  impotent  to  avenge  it;  and  it  was  only  the  good  fortune  of  hav- 
ing in  Andrew  Jackson  a  great  natural  soldier  that  prevented  a  repe- 
tition of  the  disaster  at  New  Orleans.  Let  us  remember  our  own 
shortcomings,  and  see  to  it  that  the  men  in  public  life  to-day  are 
not  permitted  to  bring  about  a  state  of  things  by  which  we  should 
in  effect  invite  a  repetition  of  such  a  humiliation. 

We  can  afford  as  a  people  to  differ  on  the  ordinary  party  ques- 
tions; but  if  we  are  both  farsighted  and  patriotic  we  can  not  afford 
to  differ  on  the  all-important  question  of  keeping  the  national  defenses 
as  they  should  be  kept;   of  not  alone  keeping  up,  but  of  going  on 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  19 

with  building  up  of  the  United  States  Navy,  and  of  keeping  our 
small  Army  at  least  at  its  present  size  and  making  it  the  most 
efficient  for  its  size  that  there  is  on  the  globe.  Remember,  you  here 
who  are  listening  to  me,  that  to  applaud  patriotic  sentiments  and  to 
turn  out  to  do  honor  to  the  dead  heroes  who  by  land  or  by  sea  won 
honor  for  our  flag  is  only  worth  while  if  we  are  prepared  to  show 
that  our  energies  do  not  exhaust  themselves  in  words;  if  we  are 
prepared  to  show  that  we  intend  to  take  to  heart  the  lessons  of  the 
past  and  make  things  ready  so  that  if  ever,  which  heaven  forbid, 
the  need  should  arise,  our  fighting  men  on  sea  and  ashore  shall  be 
able  to  rise  to  the  standard  established  by  their  predecessors  in  our 
services  of  the  past. 

Those  of  you  who  are  in  public  life  have  a  moral  right  to  be  here 
at  this  celebration  to-day  only  if  you  are  prepared  to  do  your  part 
in  building  up  the  Navy  of  the  present;  for  otherwise  you  have  no 
right  to  claim  lot  or  part  in  the  glory  and  honor  and  renown  of  the 
Navy's  past. 

So  much  for  what  we  in  civil  life  outside  of  public  office  and  within 
it  are  to  do  for  you,  and  must  do  for  you,  in  the  Navy.  Let  you  in 
the  Navy  remember  that  you  must  do  your  part.  You  will  be  worth- 
less in  war  if  you  have  not  prepared  yourselves  for  it  in  peace.  You 
will  be  utterly  unable  to  rise  to  the  needs  of  the  crisis  if  you  have  not 
by  long  years  of  steady  and  patient  work  fitted  yourselves  to  get  the 
last  ounce  of  work  out  of  every  man,  every  gun,  and  every  ship  in  the 
fleet;  if  you  have  not  practiced  steadily  on  the  high  seas  until  each 
ship  can  do  its  best,  can  show  at  its  best,  alone  or  in  conjunction  with 
others  in  fleet  formation.  Remember  that  no  courage  can  ever  atone 
for  lack  of  that  preparedness  which  makes  the  courage  valuable ;  and 
yet  if  the  courage  is  there,  if  the  dauntless  heart  is  there,  its  presence 
will  sometimes  make  up  for  other  shortcomings;  while  if  with  it  are 
combined  the  other  military  qualities  the  fortunate  owner  becomes  liter- 
ally invincible. 


DRESS  SWORD  PRESENTED  BY  LOUIS  XVI.  TO  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 


From  plates  furnished  by  the  Numismatic  and  Antiquarian  Society  of  Philadel- 
phia and  published  by  permission  of  the  owner  of  the  sword,  Mr.  Richard 
Dale.     For  description  see  Appendix. 


ADDRESS  OF  AMBASSADOR   JUSSERAND 

SECRETARY  OF  THE  NAVY  CHARGES  J.  BONAPARTE  introduced 
the  ambassador  in  the  following  words:  In  those  exploits  which  made 
Paul  Jones  famous,  French  sailors  were  his  comrades  in  arms.  In  the 
long  and  bloody  war  which  gave  us  national  life  France  was  our  generous 
ally.  This  day  were  incomplete  without  a  word  from  France.  I  ask  you 
to  hear  her  ambassador. 

THE  PIOUS  action  and  unconquerable  energy  of  a  son  of  America, 
one  who  served  her  in  war  as  a  general,  in  peace  as  an  ambas- 
sador, has  brought  back  to  these  shores  the  ashes  of  the 
famous  sailor  who  first  made  known  to  the  world  that  the  new 
nation  just  born  beyond  the  seas  was  meant  to  be  a  great  nation; 
that  is,  great  on  land  and  great  on  sea.  In  his  search  for  the  sacred 
relics  of  John  Paul  Jones,  General  Porter  had  no  help  but  his  patriot- 
ism.    For  a  good  citizen  this  is  help  enough. 

The  burial  which  is  now  awarded  to  the  naval  hero  is  such  as  he 
deserved  and  it  fits  the  circumstances  of  his  life.  This  life,  as  the  life 
of  many  other  defenders  of  American  independence,  offers  this  char- 
acteristic trait :  that  a  French  element  is,  in  some  way  or  other,  mixed 
with  it.  It  is  difficult  to  name  Washington  without  remembering 
I^a  Fayette  and  to  name  Franklin  without  thinking  of  his  r61e  in  Paris. 
It  is  the  same  with  Paul  Jones,  and  at  this  day,  when  supreme  honors 
are  rendered  to  his  memory,  when  the  Chief  of  the  State  has  praised 
him  in  words  the  value  of  which  is  immensely  enhanced  by  the  char- 
acter and  personal  fame  of  the  orator,  it  is  a  fitting  circumstance  that 
French  sailors  who  crossed  the  ocean  for  this  purpose  be  now  seen 
mounting  guard  round  his  body. 

Paul  Jones's  connection  with  things  and  men  of  France  began  early, 
and,  as  most  events  in  his  short  and  brilliant  career,  was  quaint  and 
romantic.  It  is  a  pleasant  memory  to  recall  that  little  scene  at  a  road- 
side inn  by  Alexandria — near  the  empty  plains  where  the  national  capi- 
tal was  one  day  to  rise — that  little  scene  between  two  young  men,  one 
of  foreign  appearance,  in  great  trouble  to  make  himself  understood  and 

21 


22  Addresses 


get  horses  to  continue  his  journey,  which  was  toward  the  Congress 
sitting  then  at  Philadelphia ;  the  other  ' '  a  slender,  black-haired,  black- 
eyed,  swarthy  gentleman,  in  a  naval  uniform  and  of  most  martial  and 
distinguished  bearing"  (as  his  chance  companion  described  him  later). 
The  naval  officer  proffered  his  help,  made  the  innkeeper  understand, 
and  enabled  the  foreigner  to  proceed  on  his  journey.  The  foreigner 
was  young  La  Fayette,  just  arrived  from  France,  the  other  was  Paul 
Jones.  On  that  day  began  between  them  a  friendship  meant  to  last  as 
long  as  lives  which,  unknown  to  either,  were  to  be  for  both  so  glorious. 

Begun  under  such  auspices,  Paul  Jones's  career  continued,  more  and 
more  connected  with  France.  In  1777  he  crossed  the  ocean  on  his 
famous  Ranger  in  time  to  receive  the  first  salute  offered  by  any  navy  to 
the  Stars  and  Stripes.  And  it  is  a  satisfaction  to  think  that,  while  the 
American  ship  was  commanded  by  no  less  a  man  than  Paul  Jones,  who 
was  to  take  the  Serapis,  the  French  squadron  which  returned  the  salute 
was  commanded  by  no  less  a  man  than  I^a  Motte  Piquet,  who  was  to 
gather  his  first  laurels  when  fighting  for  American  independence. 

During  the  greatest  and  most  heroical  part  of  his  career  Paul  Jones's 
main  quarters  were  in  France.  There  he  found  not  only  ships  and  sup- 
plies, but  friendship  and  admiration.  French  sailors  and  soldiers  were 
eager  to  fight  under  such  a  chief,  in  company  with  Americans.  The 
recruiting  of  these  last,  owing  to  the  distance,  was  not  always  easy,  but 
of  Frenchmen  he  naturally  had  an  abundance.  On  board  the  Bon- 
homme  Richard,  he  said  in  the  last  year  of  his  life,  ' '  part  of  the  voices 
sounded  in  my  native  tongue,  but  more  in  the  language  of  France." 
And  the  temper  of  both  crews  was  the  same.  Concerning  his  French 
volunteers  he  said  on  the  same  occasion :  "In  case  of  battle  I  simply 
let  my  Frenchmen  fight  their  battle  out,"  which  is  exactly  the  method 
ever  followed   by  American  chiefs  with  American  soldiers  or  sailors. 

After  each  of  his  campaigns  he  returned  to  Paris  more  and  more  pop- 
ular at  court,  in  society,  and  among  officers,  the  good  will  toward  him 
almost  equaling  that  which  everyone  there  bore  to  Franklin. 

When  independence  was  proclaimed,  and  that  treaty  was  signed  at 
Versailles,  which  increased  by  one  the  number  of  free  nations,  the  best 
days  of  Paul  Jones  were  over.  His  fate  resembled  in  this  that  of  his 
French  brethren  of  the  sea.  The  sacred  cause  of  independence  had 
been  for  most  of  them  the  occasion  of  their  life's  best  work,  and  fickle 
fortune  had  stood,  for  once,  on  the  side  of  the  good  cause.     The  work 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  23 

done,  fortune  abandoned  them  all;  she  abandoned  to  a  more  or  less 
unhappy  fate  d'Estaing,  de  Grasse,  Suffren,  and  Paul  Jones  himself. 
He  died  in  France,  who  had  proved  for  him  another  motherland,  and 
who  honored  him  dead  as  she  had  alive. 

But  he  had  done  his  life's  work,  and  that  work  consisted  not  only  in 
playing  splendidly  his  part  in  the  struggle  for  freedom,  but  also  in 
showing  the  young  Republic  the  importance  of  having  a  navy  of  her 
own.  ''This  is  the  best  means,"  he  wrote  as  early  as  1775,  "  to  create  a 
great  and  most  desirable  sentiment  and  respect  toward  us, ' '  and  he  did 
not  conceal  that  his  dream  was  to  be  one  of  ' '  the  pioneers  of  a  new 
power  on  the  sea  with  untold- prospect  of  development." 

His  dream,  or,  rather,  his  prophecy,  has  been  fulfilled.  He  was  one 
of  those  pioneers,  and  the  new  power  on  the  sea  which  he  helped  to 
raise  has  proved  to  have  indeed  an  ' '  untold  prospect  of  development. ' ' 

To  no  nation  can  such  a  development  be  more  welcome  than  to  the 
one  who  first  applauded  the  birth  of  the  incipient  American  Navy,  and 
it  is  for  France  a  souvenir  to  be  proud  of,  to  remember  that  the  earliest 
of  those  ships  meant  to  carry  the  thirteen  stripes  and  the  ' '  thirteen 
stars  in  a  blue  field,  representing  a  new  constellation,"  as  reads  the 
resolution  of  Congress  passed  in  1777,  was  the  Alliance,  an  appropriate 
name,  built  exactly  on  the  model  of  the  French  frigate  La  Terpsichore, 
the  plan  of  which  had  been  given  to  Jones  by  the  Duke  de  Chartres  out 
of  sympathy  for  America. 

Now  the  smoke  of  the  fights  of  those  heroical  days  has  vanished;  per- 
ennial independence  has  been  secured  and  peace  has  been  established — 
real  peace,  fecund  peace,  the  one  which  sweeps  away,  or  at  least  allows 
the  dying  out  of  former  animosities  and  hatred.  And  such  a  peace  now 
reigns  and  has  long  and  shall  long  reign,  I  hope,  between  the  nations 
who  met  then  as  enemies  on  land  and  on  sea. 

Paul  Jones  will  sleep  his  last  sleep  at  the  place  most  congenial  to  his 
valiant  soul,  by  the  shores  of  that  Chesapeake  Bay  at  the  entrance  of 
which  the  combined  action  of  Washington,  Rochambeau,  and  de  Grasse 
ended  the  war;  in  that  town  of  Annapolis,  where,  year  after  year,  are 
formed  generations  of  officers  who  continue  their  ancestors'  traditions  on 
board  the  more  and  more  numerous  and  more  and  more  powerful 
American  Navy. 

In  this  same  town  of  Annapolis,  ever  noted  for  its  patriotism,  when 
the  news  came  that  the  war  was  over  and  independence  secured,  thirteen 


24  Addresses 


toasts  were  drunk,  each  accompanied  with  thirteen  cannon,  and  the  first 
three  of  those  toasts  were: 

i.  "The  third  of  February,  1783,  in  perpetual  memory,  on  which 
day  a  virtuous  war  was  concluded  by  an  honorable  peace. ' ' 

2.  "The  United  States.     May  their  confederacy  endure  forever." 

3.  "  Friendship  with  France. ' ' 

In  such  wishes,  after  so  many  years,  concur  the  hearts  of  all  French- 
men and  all  Americans.  In  such  wishes  would  surely  concur  the  great 
heart  of  the  sailor  whom  we  honor  on  this  day. 


PROFILE  OF  BUST  FROM  DE  BIRON  COLLECTION. 
Published  by  permission  of  the  owner,  Mr.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan. 


FRONT  VIEW  OF  BUST  FROM  DE  BIRON  COLLECTION. 
Published  by  permission  of  the  owner,  Mr.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan. 


ADDRESS  OF  GENERAL  PORTER 

Secretary  of  the  navy  charges  j.  bonaparte  introduced 

the  General  in  the  following  words:  For  more  than  a  century  the  mortal 
remains  of  our  first  great  sailor  lay  in  an  unknown  grave,  lost  to  his  country 
and  the  world.  The  generosity  and  patriotism  of  a  distinguished  citizen, 
already  noted  for  eminent  public  service  in  war  and  peace,  have  freed  us 
from  this  national  reproach.    I  introduce  to  you  General  Horace  Porter. 

THIS  day  America  reclaims  her  illustrious  dead.  We  gather  here 
in  the  presence  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation  and  of  this 
vast  concourse  of  representative  citizens  of  the  Old  World  and  the 
New  to  pay  our  homage  to  the  leading  historic  figure  in  the  early  annals 
of  the  American  Navy,  to  testify  that  his  name  is  not  a  dead  memory, 
but  a  living  reality,  to  quicken  our  sense  of  appreciation,  and  to  give 
assurance  that  the  transfer  of  his  remains  to  the  land  upon  whose  arms 
he  shed  so  much  luster  is  not  lacking  in  distinction  by  reason  of  the 
long  delay. 

The  history  of  John  Paul  Jones  reads  more  like  romance  than  reality. 
It  is  more  like  a  fabled  tale  of  ancient  days  than  the  story  of  an  Ameri- 
can sailor  of  only  a  century  and  a  quarter  ago.  As  light  and  shade 
produce  the  most  attractive  effects  in  a  picture,  so  the  singular  contrasts, 
the  strange  vicissitudes  of  his  eventful  life,  surround  him  with  an  inter- 
est that  attaches  to  few  of  the  world's  celebrities.  His  rise  from  the 
humble  master's  apprentice  to  the  command  of  conquering  squadrons; 
his  transition  from  the  low-born  peasant  boy  to  the  favorite  of  impe- 
rial courts;  crouching  at  times  within  the  shadow  of  obscurity,  at 
other  times  standing  on  the  highest  pinnacle  of  fame — these  are  some 
of  the  features  of  his  marvelous  career  that  appeal  to  the  imagination, 
excite  men's  wonder,  and  fascinate  the  minds  of  all  who  make  a  study 
of  his  life. 

The  two  distinct  natures  he  possessed  lend  a  peculiar  interest  to  his 
personality.  He  displayed  the  fierce  temerity  of  the  ancient  sea  kings 
combined  with  the  knightly  courtesy  of  mediaeval  chivalry.  At  one 
time  we  find  him  aboard  the  Bonhomme  Richard,  the  frail  merchantman 

25 


26  Addresses 


he  had  hurriedly  converted  into  a  man-of-war,  equipped  with  con- 
demned guns,  whose  explosion  early  decimated  his  crew,  attacking 
the  Serapis,  a  superior  British  ship,  just  off  her  own  shores,  his  vessel 
soon  a  wreck  and  sinking,  most  of  his  guns  disabled,  half  of  his  motley 
crew  of  Americans  and  French  lying  about  him  dead  or  dying,  the 
scuppers  running  with  human  blood,  his  ship  a  charnel  house,  over  200 
prisoners  confined  in  the  hold  rushing  up  from  their  prison  and  attack- 
ing the  remnant  of  his  exhausted  crew,  his  own  consort  even,  with  her 
treacherous  captain,  raking  his  vessel  with  her  fire,  flame  and  smoke 
issuing  from  the  lower  deck  filled  with  splinters,  the  mad  carnage 
raging  till  it  seemed  that  hell  itself  had  usurped  the  place  of  earth,  the 
undaunted  commander  in  the  very  thickest  of  the  combat,  hatless  and 
begrimed  with  powder,  the  very  incarnation  of  battle,  preparing  to  lead 
a  boarding  party  and  try  this  one  desperate  chance  of  success,  and  when 
asked  by  his  antagonist,  who  saw  his  desperate  condition,  whether  he 
had  struck  his  flag,  replying,  ''I've  just  begun  to  fight!"  Then,  by 
the  inspiration  of  his  example,  forging  weaklings  into  giants,  capturing 
his  opponent,  snatching  victory  from  defeat,  and  transferring  his  crew 
to  his  prize  just  in  time  to  see  his  own  ship  sink  beneath  the  waves 
with  the  flag  still  floating  defiantly  from  the  mast. 

At  another  time  we  see  him  arrayed  in  the  height  of  fashion,  display- 
ing an  easy  manner  and  marked  elegance  in  the  brilliant  salons  of  the 
most  polite  courts  of  Europe,  replying  gracefully  to  the  compliments  of 
kings  and  princes  in  fluent  English,  French,  and  Spanish,  showing  that 
he  could  tread  the  polished  floor  of  a  royal  palace  as  becomingly  as  the 
blood-stained  deck  of  a  man-of-war. 

He  was  a  many-sided  man.  On  the  water  he  was  the  wizard  of  the 
sea ;  on  the  land  he  showed  himself  an  adept  in  the  realms  of  diplomacy. 
While  his  exploits  as  a  sailor  eclipsed  by  their  brilliancy  his  triumphs 
as  a  diplomat,  he  often  proved  himself  a  master  both  of  the  science  of 
state  craft  and  the  subtleties  of  diplomacy.  He  early  urged  upon  the 
Government  the  policy  of  weakening  the  blockade  so  disastrous  to  the 
colonies,  which  were  essentially  commercial,  by  sending  war  ships  into 
Great  Britain's  home  waters,  attacking  her  vast  commerce  on  the  sea, 
compelling  her  to  keep  fleets  at  home  to  protect  it,  raiding  her  coasts, 
and  bringing  to  her  people  an  awakening  sense  of  the  realities  of  war 
in  order  that  they  might  tire  of  it.  He  aimed  to  save  his  prizes,  so  that 
he  could  exhibit  captured  British  war  ships  in  French  ports,  show  the 


John    Pa  til  Jones    Commemoration  27 

people  the  hopefulness  of  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  stimulate  the  gov- 
ernment of  that  power,  and  encourage  it  to  send  armies  and  fleets  to  our 
relief. 

His  chief  diplomatic  triumph  was  when  he  took  the  captured  Serapis 
and  Countess  of  Scarborough  into  the  principal  harbor  of  Holland  for  the 
express  purpose  of  raising  irritating  questions  regarding  the  rights  of 
belligerent  vessels  in  neutral  ports  and  embroiling  England  in  a  war  with 
Holland.  He  undertook  this  mission  of  his  own  initiative  and  against 
the  advice  of  such  experienced  diplomatists  as  De  Vauguyon,  the  French 
ambassador  to  Holland,  and  Dumas,  the  eminent  international  lawyer. 
By  his  ingenuity  and  the  signal  ability  of  his  correspondence  he  suc- 
ceeded perfectly  in  his  undertaking,  and  England  soon  had  another  foe 
arrayed  against  her.  By  a  rare  tact  he  escaped  giving  offense  to 
Holland  and  at  the  same  time  avoided  wounding  the  susceptibilities 
of  France.  1 

So  much  was  our  Government  impressed  by  this  and  other  exhibitions 
of  his  rare  diplomatic  skill  that  it  intrusted  him  with  the  delicate  and 
clifficult  mission  of  collecting  international  claims. 

Washington  said  of  him,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Congressman  Hewes: 

Mr.  Jones  is  clearly  not  only  a  master  mariner  within  the  scope  of  the  art  of 
navigation,  but  he  also  .holds  a  strong  and  profound  sense  of  %he  political  and 
military  weight  of  command  at  sea. 

Jefferson,  by  direction  of  Washington,  intrusted  him  with  a  diplomatic 
mission  to  Holland  to  see  whether  that  State  could  be  induced  to  join 
us  in  an  expedition  against  the  pirates  of  the  Barbary  coast,  and  made 
known  that  it  was  the  President's  desire  to  give  him  command  of  a 
squadron  for  such  a  purpose.  But  his  death  intervened  before  the 
necessary  ships  could  be  furnished. 

Paul  Jones  had  written  in  French  an  exceedingly  able  pamphlet 
entitled  "Treatise  on  the  Existing  State  of  the  French  Navy,"  which 
produced  a  profound  impression.  Napoleon,  when  first  consul,  was  so 
struck  by  it  that  he  had  it  reprinted,  and  the  title-page  bore  the  inscrip- 
tion ' '  Written  by  the  great  American  and  Russian  Admiral. ' ' 

When  Paul  Jones  took  his  prizes  into  the  ports  of  Holland  the  English 
minister  there  distinguished  himself  by  constantly  alluding  in  official 
correspondence  to  the  conqueror  of  the  Serapis  as  ' '  a  certain  Paul  Jones, 
a  pirate."  Next  to  the  Admiral's  able  and  complete  refutation  of  this 
unfounded   characterization,   made   to   the    Dutch   States- General   and 


28  A  d dr e s s e s 


accepted  by  them,   perhaps   his  best   answer  was  the  explanation  he 
wittily  gave  sometime  afterwards  in  a  conversation. 

Having  been  alluded  to  as  a  pirate  [said  he] ,  I  looked  up  the  authoritative  defini- 
tions of  that  epithet,  and  found  among  them  "Pirate — one  who  is  at  war  with  man- 
kind." I  am  holding  a  regular  commission  as  a  naval  officer  in  an  honorable  service 
and  making  war  only  upon  the  armed  enemies  of  my  country.  England  is  at  war 
with  America,  France,  Holland,  and  Spain,  and  engaged  in  provoking  war  in  several 
colonies,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  she  is  the  pirate,  not  I. 

When  he  landed  a  force  in  England  and  his  sailors  carried  off  a 
quantity  of  silver  plate  from  Lord  Selkirk's  estate,  Paul  Jones  purchased 
it  from  the  crew,  who  then  owned  it  and  counted  its  value  as  prize 
money,  paying  for  it  $700  out  of  his  own  pocket,  a  large  sum  in  those 
days,  and  as  soon  as  he  could  procure  the  means  of  communicating, 
returned  it  and  received  a  handsome  acknowledgment  from  Lord  Selkirk. 
Lord  Dunmore,  on  the  contrary,  heading  a  party  of  British  and  Tories, 
completely  ravaged  the  plantation  on  which  Paul  Jones  had  established 
himself  in  Virginia,  burned  to  the  ground  his  houses  and  mill,  destroyed 
his  wharf,  killed  his  cattle,  and  carried  off  his  able-bodied  slaves  of  both 
sexes  to  be  sold  in  Jamaica.  If  piracy  there  was,  the  record  stamps  not 
Paul  Jones,  but  Lord  Dunmore,  as  the  pirate. 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  traits  in  the  character  of  our  illustrious 
sailor  was  his  pronounced  and  enthusiastic  loyalty  to  America.  In  a 
letter  to  Jefferson  in  1788  he  said: 

I  can  never  renounce  the  glorious  title  of  a  citizen  of  the  United  States. 

At  another  time  he  wrote: 

I  do  not  wish  to  engage  in  privateering.  My  object  is  not  that  of  private  gain, 
but  to  serve  the  public  in  a  way  that  may  reflect  credit  on  our  infant  Navy  and  give 
prestige  to  our  country  on  the  sea. 

And  yet  this  is  the  man  whom  calumny  has  called  a  privateersman. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  after  he  had  presented  to  Con- 
gress, by  request,  his  celebrated  suggestions  for  the  organization  of  an 
efficient  navy — a  plan  as  applicable  fundamentally  to  the  service  to-day 
as  then — he  wrote: 

As  this  is  to  be  the  foundation,  or,  I  may  say,  the  first  keel  timber  of  a  new  navy, 
which  all  patriots  must  hope  shall  become  the  foremost  of  the  world    *    *    *. 

And,  again: 

If  by  exceedingly  desperate  fighting  one  of  our  ships  shall  conquer  one  of  theirs 
of  markedly  superior  force,  we  shall  be  hailed  as  the  pioneers  of  a  new  power  on 
the  sea  with  untold  prospects  of  development. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  29 

Prophetic  words  from  the  man  who  was  destined  to  fight  just  such 
a  battle. 

Paul  Jones  never  sailed  in  a  man-of-war  whose  quarter-deck  was 
worthy  of  being  trodden  by  his  feet.  His  battles  were  won  not  by  his 
ships,  but  by  his  genius.  Employing  the  feeble  vessels  given  him  or 
which  he  himself  procured,  he  sailed  forth  boldly  to  strike  the  enemies 
of  his  country's  liberty  wherever  he  could  find  them  and  paused  not 
till  he  dipped  the  fringes  of  his  banners  in  the  home  waters  of  the 
mistress  of  the  seas.  He  captured  some  sixty  vessels  from  the  foremost 
of  naval  powers,  made  four  bold  descents  upon  the  land,  seized  large 
quantities  of  arms  and  military  stores,  destroyed  more  than  a  million 
dollars'  worth  of  property  on  the  sea,  and  took  hundreds  of  prisoners 
whose  capture  was  used  to  force  an  exchange  and  release  our  men,  who 
were  being  slowly  tortured  to  death  in  the  loathsome,  pestilential  prison 
hulks  in  Brooklyn.  Congress  afterwards  thanked  him  by  resolution 
for  "his  bold  and  successful  enterprises  to  redeem  from  captivity  the 
citizens  of  these  States  who  had  fallen  under  the  power  of  the  enemy." 

He  was  the  very  personification  of  valor.  He  ranked  courage  as  the 
manliest  of  human  attributes.  He  loved  brave  men ;  he  loathed  cow- 
ards. He  believed  that  there  was  scarcely  a  sin  for  which  courage 
could  not  atone.  He  showed  this  trait  in  all  the  aphorisms  he  uttered, 
such  as:  "Boldness,  not  caution,  wins";  "Men  mean  more  than  guns 
in  the  rating  of  ships " ;  "I  am  not  calculating  risks,  but  estimating  the 
chances  of  success";  "The  sources  of  success  are  quick  resolve  and 
swift  stroke " ;  "  Bravery  is  that  cheerful  kind  of  spirit  that  makes  a 
man  unable  to  believe  that  there  is  any  such  word  as  '  danger '  in  the 
dictionary,  or,  if  so,  not  able  to  see  why  it  should  be  there." 

As  long  as  manly  courage  is  talked  of  or  heroic  deeds  are  honored 
there  will  remain  green  in  the  hearts  of  brave  men  the  talismanic  name 
of  Paul  Jones. 

The  admiral  had  that  tenderness  of  heart  which  is  usually  coupled 
with  true  courage.  While  he  could  resort  to  stern  measures  in  enfor- 
cing discipline  and  suppressing  mutiny,  he  governed  his  crew  more  by 
attaching  them  to  him  by  kind  acts  and  just  treatment  than  by  corporal 
punishment.     Referring  to  his  command  of  the  Providence,  he  wrote: 

There  was  no  cat-o'-nine  tails  aboard,  because  I  threw  the  only  one  we  had  in 
the  sea  the  first  day  out. 

Again,   he  said: 

I  wish  all  my  men  to  be  contented  and  happy. 


30  Addresses 


He  was  as  generous  as  the  sun  itself.  For  a  long  time  he  bore  all 
his  personal  expenses  and  abstained  from  presenting  demands  for  pay 
to  our  poverty-stricken  Government.  When,  in  foreign  seas,  he  found 
that  the  Government  regulations  did  not  authorize  the  pay  the  hand- 
bills of  overzealous  recruiting  officers  had  promised  to  his  sailors,  he 
paid  the  difference  out  of  his  own  pocket,  so  that  his  gallant  crew 
should  not  feel  that  they  were  victims  of  a  deception. 

For  one  who  lived  in  an  age  of  loose  morals  and  spent  his  youthful 
years  amidst  the  temptations  which  then  beset  a  seafaring  man  in  the 
merchant  service,  he  was  singularly  free  from  every  form  of  dissipation. 
He  had  no  fondness  for  revelry,  jolly  coffee-house  dinners,  or  drinking 
bouts,  which  formed  the  principal  amusements  in  foreign  ports.  While 
others  were  carousing  ashore  he  was  studying  in  his  cabin,  perfecting 
himself  in  history  and  languages,  pondering  upon  the  maneuvering  of 
ships  and  the  grand  strategy  of  naval  warfare,  and  paving  the  way  for 
his  future  victories,  which  were  won  first  with  the  brain,  then  with  the 
sword. 

Among  his  closest  friends  and  most  ardent  admirers  were  Wash- 
ington, Jefferson,  Franklin,  La  Fayette,  Hamilton,  Wayne,  Livingston, 
the  two  Morrises,  and  other  eminent  Americans.  Not  bad  companion- 
ship for  a  "pirate." 

Notwithstanding  the  gravity  of  his  nature,  he  at  times  displayed  a 
wit  that  could  cut  the  sting  from  the  keenest  criticism  and  gild  dis- 
appointment with  a  pleasantry. 

He  fashioned  epigrams  in  prose  and  poetry. 

Mrs.  Livingston,  in  speaking  of  him  in  her  diary  as  a  conversa- 
tionalist,  said: 

He  by  turns  delighted,  amazed,  and  mystified  us. 

The  Dutchess  de  Chartres  wrote: 

Not  Bayard  or  Charles  le  Temeraire  could  have  laid  his  helmet  at  a  lady's  feet 
with  such  knightly  dignity. 

The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  the  French  admiral  with  whom  Paul  Jones 
once  made  a  voyage,  said: 

His  talents  are  so  wonderful  and  of  such  diversity  that  each  day  he  brings 
forth  some  new  proof  of  cleverness. 

Franklin  spoke  of  the  ''strange  magnetism  of  his  presence,  the 
indescribable  charm  of  his  manner." 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  31 

His  criticisms  and  retorts  were  at  times  so  caustic  that  they  made 
him  enemies.  When  Mr.  Adams,  at  a  reception  in  Philadelphia, 
attempted  to  relate  an  anecdote  of  Fontenelle  in  French,  Paul  Jones, 
upon  being  asked  by  some  friends  what  he  thought  of  Mr.  Adams's 
French,  replied,  without  reflecting  that  the  remark  might  be  repeated: 

If  the  political  sentiments  of  Mr.  Adams  were  as  English  as  his  French,  he 
would  be  easily  the  greatest  Tory  in  the  land. 

This  came  to  the  ears  of  Mr.  Adams,  and  it  was  long  before  he 
forgave  the  Admiral  for  the  criticism. 

But  his  heart  was  not  often  attuned  to  mirth;  its  chords  were 
frequently  set  to  strains  of  sadness.  For  years  he  was  engaged  in  a 
struggle  against  insubordination,  treachery,  jealousy,  neglect  at  home, 
and  abuse  abroad.  The  people  against  whom  he  fought  opened  their 
floodgates  of  calumny.  No  misrepresentation  of  his  acts  was  too  gross, 
no  distortion  of  history  too  monstrous.  These  well-concerted  attacks 
of  the  pen  were  intended  to  set  him  before  the  Old  World  in  an  aspect 
that  was  a  vicious  caricature  of  his  true  nature,  and  they  even  gave  so 
erroneous  an  impression  of  him  in  this  country  that  it  has  required  a 
century  of  time  to  correct  it. 

He  was  too  actively  engaged  in  making  current  history  to  spare  much 
time  in  reading  it,  but  he  was  once  moved   to  write  of   his  enemies: 

One  may  often  correctly  gauge  one's  merits  by  the  virulence  of  their  abuse. 

He  had  to  learn  that  "Reproach  is  a  concomitant  to  greatness,  as 
satire  and  invective  were  an  essential  part  of  a  Roman  triumph,"  and 
that  in  public  life  all  arrows  wound,  the  last  one  kills.  He  lived  to 
realize  that  success  is  like  sunshine,  it  brings  out  the  vipers,  and  that 
the  laurel  is  a  narcotic  that  prevents  others  from  sleeping. 

Worn  out  with  the  fatigues  of  arduous  service,  at  the  untimely  age 
of  45,  alone  in  a  foreign  land,  he  surrendered  to  death,  the  only  foe  to 
whom  he  ever  lowered  his  colors.  By  some  strange  and  unaccountable 
fatality  he  was  covered  immediately  with  the  mantle  of  forgetfulness. 
In  all  the  annals  of  history  there  is  not  another  case  in  which  death  has 
caused  the  memory  of  so  conspicuous  a  man  to  drop  at  once  from  the 
height  of  prominence  to  the  depth  of  oblivion. 

He  had  been  counted  as  one  of  the  rarest  contributions  to  earth's  con- 
tingent of  master  spirits.     He  enjoyed  the  unique  distinction  of  being 


32  Addresses 


the  first  to  hoist  the  present  form  of  our  flag  upon  an  American  man-of- 
war,  the  first  to  receive  a  salute  to  it  from  a  foreign  power,  the  first  to 
raise  it  upon  a  hostile  war  ship  of  superior  strength  captured  in  battle, 
and  under  his  command  that  banner  was  never  once  dethroned  from  its 
proud  supremacy.  He  is  the  only  commander  in  history  who  ever 
landed  an  American  force  upon  a  European  coast. 

Congress  complimented  him  by  a  resolution,  voted  him  a  medal  to 
commemorate  his  greatest  victory,  and  awarded  him  the  privilege  of  the 
floor  of  both  Houses ;  he  received  a  similar  favor  from  the  Constitutional 
Convention  ;  the  people  of  this  and  other  lands  organized  public  demon- 
strations in  his  honor;  France  knighted  him,  L,ouis  XVI  presented  him 
with  a  gold-mounted  sword,  Denmark  pensioned  him,  Catharine  of 
Russia  created  him  an  admiral,  conferred  upon  him  imperial  decorations, 
and  loaded  him  with  marks  of  distinction.  If  he  had  lived  a  little 
longer,  he  would  in  all  probability  have  been  named  admiral  of  France. 
The  rugged  sailor  had  compelled  the  recognition  of  genius  ;  the  Scottish 
peasant  boy  had  broken  down  the  barriers  of  caste. 

In  life  he  was  perhaps  the  most  conspicuous  personage  on  two  con- 
tinents, and  yet  the  moment  he  was  placed  beneath  the  ground  some 
strange  fate  seemed  to  decree  that  he  was  to  be  snatched  from  history 
and  relegated  to  fiction.  No  inscription  was  engraved  upon  his  coffin, 
no  statue  was  erected  in  his  honor,  no  ship  was  given  his  name,  no 
public  building  was  called  after  him.  It  required  six  years  of 
research  to  find  the  apartment  in  which  he  had  lived  in  Paris  and 
held  his  brilliant  salons,  which  were  attended  by  the  foremost  celebrities 
of  the  period,  and  as  long  a  time  to  discover  his  unmarked  and 
forgotten  grave. 

When  finally  his  exact  place  of  burial  had  been  definitely  located  by 
authentic  documents  and  other  positive  evidence,  the  ground  exhibited 
so  repulsive  an  appearance  that  the  aspect  was  painful  beyond  expres- 
sion. There  was  presented  the  spectacle  of  a  hero  who  had  once  been 
the  idol  of  the  American  people  lying  for  more  than  a  century,  like  an 
obscure  outcast,  in  an  abandoned  cemetery  which  had  been  covered  later 
by  a  dump  pile  to  a  height  of  15  feet,  where  dogs  and  horses  had  been 
buried,  and  the  soil  was  soaked  with  polluted  waters  from  undrained 
laundries.  As  busy  feet  tramped  over  the  ground,  the  spirit  of  the  hero 
who  lay  beneath  might  well  have  been  moved  to  cry,  in  the  words  of  the 
motto  on  his  first  flag,  not  in  defiance,  but  in  supplication  then,  "Don't 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  33 

tread  on  me."  No  American  citizen,  upon  contemplating  on  the  spot 
those  painful  circumstances,  could  have  shrunk  from  an  attempt  to  secure 
for  his  remains  a  more  deserving  sepulcher. 

When  the.  body  was  exhumed,  it  was  fortunately  found  perfectly  pre- 
served, with  all  the  flesh  intact,  in  consequence  of  having  been  buried 
in  a  leaden  coffin  filled  with  alcohol — the  usual  method  of  embalming  in 
those  days.  There  were  only  five  leaden  coffins  in  the  entire  cemetery, 
four  of  which  were  identified  as  those  of  strangers.  While  the  features 
of  the  body  in  the  fifth  coffin  were  easily  recognizable  when  compared 
with  the  accurate  busts  and  medals  of  Paul  Jones,  while  his  initials  were 
found  upon  the  linen  and  the  identity  was  convincing  from  the  first, 
yet  it  was  deemed  prudent,  on  account  of  the  importance  of  the  subject, 
to  submit  the  body  to  a  thorough  scientific  examination  by  the  most 
competent  experts  in  the  profession  of  anthropology,  in  order  that  the 
proofs  might  be  authoritatively  established  and  officially  placed  on  record. 
The  most  eminent  scientists  of  France,  to  whom  we  owe  a  lasting  debt  of 
gratitude,  contributed  their  efforts  to  this  task  in  the  presence  of  the 
members  of  the  American  embassy  and  the  consulate  and  the  highest 
officials  of  the  municipality  of  Paris. 

The  identification  was  rendered  easy  and  was  established  with  abso- 
lute certainty  by  reason  of  the  authentic  busts  and  medals  obtainable 
for  making  the  comparative  measurements,  the  abundance  of  accurate 
information  in  existence  descriptive  of  the  dead,  and  the  excellent 
state  of  preservation  of  the  body,  due  to  the  alcohol,  which  enabled 
the  scientists  to  perform  an  autopsy  that  verified  in  every  particular 
the  disease  of  which  it  was  known  the  subject  had  died. 

Twelve  American  or  French  persons  took  part  in  the  identification, 
and  after  six  days  passed  in  the  application  of  every  conceivable  test, 
their  affirmative  verdict  was  positive  and  unanimous  and  was  formally 
certified  to  under  the  official  seals  of  their  respective  departments,  as 
may  be  seen  from  their  reports  filed  with  the  Government,  both  in 
Washington  and  in  Paris. 

All  that  is  mortal  of  the  conqueror  of  the  Serapis  lies  in  yonder 
coffin.  He  bore  the  standard  of  his  country  for  the  first  time  to 
France;  he  returned  with  it  draped  upon  his  bier.  That  generous  land, 
our  traditional  friend  and  former  ally,  now  sends  a  squadron  of  her 
noble  war  ships  to  unite  in  doing  honor  to  the  memory  of  an  illustrious 
brother  sailor. 

7257—07 3 


34  Addresses 


When  Congress  adopted  the  present  form  of  the  American  flag,  it 
embodied  in  the  same  resolution  the  appointment  of  Capt.  John  Paul 
Jones  to  command  the  ship  Ranger.  When  he  received  the  news 
history  attributes  to  him  this  remark:  "The  flag  and  I  are  twins;  born 
the  same  hour,  from  the  same  womb  of  destiny,  we  can  not  be  parted 
in  life  or  in  death."  Alas!  they  were  parted  during  a  hundred  and 
thirteen  years,  but,  happily,  they  are  now  reunited. 

It  was  deemed  well  to  bring  back  his  body,  in  the  belief  that  it  would 
bring  back  his  memory.  Time  has  shed  a  clearer  light  upon  his  acts ; 
distance  has  brought  him  into  the  proper  focus  to  be  viewed.  A  tree  is 
best  measured  when  it  is  down.  His  honored  remains  will  be  laid  to 
rest  in  this  historic  spot  in  a  mausoleum  befitting  his  fame,  but  his 
true  sepulcher  will  be  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen.  Generations  yet 
to  come  will  pause  to  read  the  inscription  on  his  tomb,  and  its  mute 
eloquence  will  plead  for  equal  sacrifice  should  war  again  threaten  the 
nation's  life. 

He  was  a  lesson  to  his  contemporaries;  he  will  ever  be  an  inspiration 
to  his  successors,  for  example  teaches  more  than  precept  and  patterns 
are  better  followed  than  rules. 

He  was  taken  all  too  soon  from  the  living  here  to  join  the  other  living, 
commonly  called  the  dead.  When  he  passed  the  portals  of  eternity, 
earth  mourned  one  hero  less.  We  shall  not  meet  him  till  he  stands 
forth  to  answer  to  his  name  at  roll  call  when  the  great  of  earth  are 
summoned  on  the  morning  of  the  last  great  reveille.  Till  then,  fare- 
well, noblest  of  all  spirits,  bravest  of  all  hearts.  The  simplicity  of  the 
rugged  sailor  was  mingled  with  the  heroic  grandeur  of  your  nature. 
Wherever  blows  fell  thickest,  your  crest  was  in  their  midst.  The 
story  of  your  life  rises  to  the  sublimity  of  an  epic.  Untitled  knight  of 
the  blue  waters,  ' '  Wrathful  Achilles  of  the  Ocean,  ' '  conqueror  of  the 
conquerors  of  the  sea,  the  recollection  of  your  deeds  will  never  cease 
to  thrill  men  with  the  splendor  of  events  and  inspire  them  with  the 
majesty  of  achievement.  You  honored  the  generation  in  which  you 
lived,  and  future  ages  will  be  illumined  by  the  brightness  of  your  glory. 


ADDRESS  OF  GOVERNOR  WARFIELD 

SECRETARY  OF  THE  NAVY  CHARGES  J.  BONAPARTE  introduced  the 
Governor  in  the  following  words:  Paul  Jones  was  an  immigrant;  a  na- 
tive of  none  of  our  States;  his  glory  belongs  to  them  all.  To  speak  for  the 
thirteen  he  served  and  for  the  thirty-two  since  admitted  to  share  the  bless- 
ings of  our  national  liberty  and  national  greatness,  we  call  upon  that  one 
which  has  given  the  nation  its  seat  of  rule  and  his  remains  their  resting 
place.    I  present  to  you  the  Governor  of  Maryland. 

AFTER  the  clear  and  striking  portrayals  of  the  character  and  genius 
of  John  Paul  Jones,  to  which  we  have  just  listened  with  so  much 
k  pleasure  and  profit,  it  would  be  superfluous  to  dwell  further 
upon  his  personal  traits  or  his  wonderful  naval  achievements. 

Whatever  else  may  be  said  of  him,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
love  of  liberty  was  the  master  passion  of  his  soul,  and  that  he  longed 
to  have  his  name  and  fame  associated  with  his  adopted  country, 
America. 

What  a  remarkable  fulfillment  of  that  longing  is  this  unique  event, 
this  splendid  inspiring  audience. 

If  "  Honor's  voice  could  provoke  the  silent  dust,  and  flattery  soothe 
the  dull,  cold  ear  of  Death,"  then  would  this  dead  hero  have  heard 
the  tribute,  paid  him  one  hundred  and  fourteen  years  after  his  death, 
by  the  patriotic  President  of  the  Republic  which  he  helped  to  found — 
a  Republic  which  has  grown  from  a  confederation  of  thirteen  feeble 
struggling  colonies  to  a  mighty  Union  of  forty-five  sovereign  States, 
with  eighty  millions  of  people. 

When  the  news  was  flashed   across  the  Atlantic  just  one  year  ago 

that    Ambassador   Porter's   five   years    of  weary  searching    had    been 

crowned  with  success,  that  he  had  found  and  identified  the  remains  of 

John  Paul  Jones,  I  at  once,  as  governor  of  this  State,  urged  through 

the   public   press   that    his    body  should    be    brought    here    for    final 

entombment,  upon  the  historic  soil  of   Maryland,  in   yonder  beautiful 

memorial  chapel,  which   is  destined   to  be  the  Westminster  Abbey  for 

our  naval  heroes. 

35 


2,6  A  ddresse  s 


Upon  what  more  hallowed  or  appropriate  ground  could  the  ashes  of 
this  brilliant  sea  fighter  rest?  Would  he  not  himself  have  selected 
this  in  preference  to  all  other  places? 

Maryland  is  the  birthplace,  the  nursery,  of  the  American  Navy. 
Here  are  trained  the  men  whose  duty  it  is  to  maintain  the  prestige  and 
the  power  of  our  country  upon  the  seas  of  the  world. 

In  the  beginning  of  our  national  history  Maryland  fitted  out  to 
support  the  patriot  cause,  at  her  own  expense,  a  dozen  war  vessels. 
They  were  small,  yet  they  did  splendid  service. 

Joshua  Barney,  a  Marylander,  the  first  commodore  of  our  Navy,  the 
hero  of  two  wars,  commanded  one  of  these  vessels,  and  flung  to  the 
breeze  in  Maryland  the  first  continental  flag. 

A  Marylander,  Samuel  Nicholson,  was  a  lieutenant  under  John  Paul 
Jones  on  the  Bonhomme  Richard  in  the  battle  with  the  Serapis,  and 
was  later  the  first  commander  of  the  historic  Constitution. 

A  Marylander,  Stephen  Decatur,  in  the  war  with  Tripoli,  with  eighty 
men,  cut  out  the  Philadelphia,  manned  by  fivefold  his  own  force,  and 
surrounded  by  hostile  batteries  and  war  vessels. 

You,  Mr.  President,  in  your  admirable  and  exhaustive  History  of 
the  Naval  War  of  1812,  pronounce  this  one  of  the  boldest  expeditions 
of  the  kind  on  record,  and  Lord  Nelson  declared  it  to  be  the  most 
daring  act  of  the  age. 

A  Marylander,  Midshipman  Joseph  Israel,  was  one  of  the  officers  who 
perished  on  the  night  of  September  14,  1804,  in  the  harbor  of  Tripoli, 
in  the  attempt  to  destroy  the  Tripolitan  fleet. 

A  Marylander,  Jesse  Duncan  Elliott,  performed  a  feat  on  Lake 
Erie  similar  to  that  of  Decatur  in  Tripoli,  when  he  captured  the  Detroit 
and  the  Caledonia. 

A  Marylander,  Commodore  John  Rodgers,  fired  the  first  gun  in  the 
brilliant  naval  war  of  181 2. 

During  that  war  Maryland  furnished  forty-six  officers — one-fifth  of 
the  total  number — more  than  were  furnished  by  any  other  State,  and 
more  than  by  all  New  England  combined. 

In  the  number  of  privateers  fitted  out  Maryland  again  heads  the  list, 
and  you,  Mr.  President,  estimate  that  she  furnished  at  least  one-eighth 
of  all  the  sailors  in  that  war. 

In  the  war  with  Mexico,  Maryland  was  equally  prominent  in  the 
Navy,  and  it  was  a  son  of  Maryland,  Capt.  W.  A.  T.  Maddox,  of  the 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  37 

Marine  Corps,  who  first  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes  over  that  portion 
of  our  land  which  lies  along  the  Pacific. 

I  will  not  dwell  upon  Maryland's  naval  record  in  the  civil  war.  She 
furnished  many  gallant  men  who  wore  the  blue  and  many  equally 
gallant  men  who  wore  the  gray  in  that  unfortunate  contest. 

Maryland's  record  in  the  Spanish  war  is  fresh  in  our  memories.  The 
list  of  her  sons  who  fought  in  that  war  is  a  long  one,  and  I  have  not 
time  to  mention  them  all. 

But  one  name  stands  out  conspicuously — the  name  of  whom  all  Mary- 
landers  are  justly  proud — Winfield  Scott  Schley. 

This  Academy,  the  alma  mater  of  many  distinguished  naval  officers, 
renowned  in  peace  no  less  than  in  war,  who  have  upheld  the  glory  of 
our  flag,  was  organized  by  a  son  of  Maryland — the  gallant  Admiral 
Franklin  Buchanan,  its  first  superintendent. 

The  present  head  of  this  institution,  Admiral  Sands,  under  whose 
direction  such  excellent  work  is  being  done  to-day,  is  of  Maryland 
stock,  and  it  is  a  pleasing  coincidence  that  our  able  and  accomplished 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  who  is  presiding  over  these  ceremonies,  is  also  a 
native  of  our  State. 

Paul  Jones,  on  the  Ra?iger,  flew  the  flag  of  our  country  on  the  high 
seas  which  was  first  saluted  by  a  foreign  power.  He  loved  that  flag, 
and  often  exclaimed:  "The  flag  and  I  are  twins,  born  the  same  hour 
and  from  the  same  womb  of  destiny." 

A  Mary  lander  immortalized  in  verse  that  "Star-Spangled  Banner." 
How  fitting,  then,  that  the  ashes  of  Francis  Scott  Key  and  John  Paul 
Jones  should  forever  rest  upon  the  soil  of  Maryland. 

This  is  sacred  ground  upon  which  we  stand.  Here,  on  October  19, 
1774,  the  first  overt  act  against  the  authority  of  the  King  of  England 
took  place. 

Anthony  Stewart  had,  in  violation  of  the  nonimportation  act,  brought 
into  this  harbor  a  cargo  of  tea  in  his  brig  Peggy  Stewart. 

This  open  defiance  of  the  colonists  aroused  their  indignation  and 
stirred  their  .spirit  of  vengeance. 

Stewart,  realizing  his  peril,  abjectly  apologized  for  his  act  and  offered 
to  destroy  the  tea.  This  did  not  satisfy  the  aroused  patriots  and  Sons 
of  Liberty. 

Down  from  the  back  hills  and  up  from  the  lowlands  of  Maryland 
the  young  patriots,  led  by  men  of  bold  and  determined  spirit  and  bearing 


38  Addresses 


aloft  a  banner  upon  which  was  inscribed  "  Liberty,  or  death  in  pursuit 
of  it,"  rode  to  Annapolis. 

Assembling  in  front  of  yonder  old  brick  house,  their  leader,  address- 
ing Stewart,  said:  "You  must  burn  your  ship  and  its  cargo  of  tea  or 
hang. ' ' 

Stewart  chose  not  to  hang,  and  forthwith,  accompanied  by  the  chief 
of  the  band  of  patriots,  boarded  his  brig  and  applied  the  torch;  and  she, 
with  her  cargo,  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge. 

For  this  act  these  young  Sons  of  Liberty  were  called  by  the  loyalists 
1 '  Mohocks. ' '  For  capturing  the  Drake  and  the  Serapis  John  Paul 
Jones  was  characterized  by  the  British  a  pirate  and  freebooter. 

The  tea  burning  at  Boston  is  renowned  as  an  act  of  unexampled 
daring  at  that  day  in  the  defense  of  American  liberty;  but  this 
tea  burning  at  Annapolis  far  surpassed  it  in  utter  carelessness  of 
concealment. 

It  was  an  instance  of  the  most  open  and  determined  opposition  to 
the  oppressive  measures  of  the  British  Government. 

This  ancient  city  has  always  been  animated  by  a  spirit  of  patriotism. 

In  that  old  statehouse  the  colonists  met  in  July,  1775,  a  year  before 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  resolved  to  throw  off  the  British 
yoke,  and  for  that  purpose  formed  the  Association  of  Freemen  of 
Maryland. 

It  was  in  the  senate  chamber  in  that  venerable  building  that  George 
Washington,  on  the  23d  day  of  December,  1783,  handed  back  to  Con- 
gress his  commission  to  command  the  Revolutionary  forces. 

In  that  same  chamber,  on  January  14,  1784,  the  treaty  of  peace 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies  was  ratified  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

In  that  same  room,  in  September,  1786,  there  was  held,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  George  Washington,  a  convention  composed  of  representa- 
tives from  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Virginia, 
and  Maryland. 

Its  deliberations  resulted  in  the  calling  of  a  convention,  out  of  which 
grew  that  sublime  instrument,  the  charter  of  our  liberties,  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States. 

Where,  then,  Mr.  President,  could  you  have  found  a  more  appro- 
priate spot  for  the  final  resting  place  for  the  body  of  John  Paul 
Jones? 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  39 

Here  it  will  repose  amid  the  associations  and  the  memorials  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  our  Navy,  an  ever-present  inspiration  to  the 
young  men  who  are  here  trained  for  service  upon  the  sea. 

As  illustrating  the  value  of  an  example  of  fighting  qualities,  I  am 
reminded  of  an  incident  told  by  Admiral  Dewey  when  he  laid  the 
corner  stone  of  the  memorial  chapel  here. 

He  said  that  a  friend  had  asked  him  what  thoughts  were  uppermost 
in  his  mind  as  he  entered  Manila  Bay  on  May  1,  1898,  when  he 
destroyed  the  Spanish  fleet  and  won  that  glorious  victory. 

Replying,  he  said :  "I  was  thinking  of  what  Farragut  would  do  if 
he  were  here." 

The  American  nation  owes  you,  General  Porter,  a  debt  of  gratitude 
for  the  patriotic  work  you  did  in  searching  for  these  remains. 

At  your  own  expense,  with  unflagging  determination  and  devotion, 
you  undertook  and  carried  through  to  success  what  was  declared  by 
many  to  be  a  hopeless  quest. 

Your  achievement  is  a  source  of  great  pride  to  your  compatriots  of 
the  patriotic  societies  of  our  country  and  has  aroused  anew  their  enthu- 
siasm in  carrying  out  the  purposes  of  their  respective  organizations. 

Especially  is  this  true  of  the  society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American 
Revolution,  over  which  at  one  time  you  presided  as  president-general. 

All  Americans,  and  especially  we  of  Maryland,  will  ever  hold  you 
an  unselfish  patriot — one  who  loves  his  country  and  her  splendid 
traditions. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  can  never  forget  the  aid  that  France 
rendered  our  patriot  fathers  when  they  were  struggling  for  freedom 
from  British  rule.  Her  generous  services  made  the  independence  of 
the  colonies  possible.  So,  sir,  the  gratitude  of  the  American  people 
to  France  will  continue  forever. 

La  Fayette  occupies  a  place  in  cur  hearts  second  only  to  that  of 
Washington,  and  a  monument  stands  on  our  Capitol  Hill  to  De  Kalb, 
who  fell  while  leading  Maryland  troops  in  the  hard  -  fought  •  battle  of 
Camden. 

The  French  troops  under  command  of  La  Fayette  and  Rochambeau 
encamped  here  in  1781  on  the  way  to  Yorktown,  and  again  in  1782  on 
their  return  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis. 

Their  presence  here,  in  March,  1781,  saved  our  city  from  sack  and 
the  capitol  from  destruction  by  the  British  fleet,  then  in  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay. 


4<d  Addresses 


So,  Mr.  Ambassador  Jusserand,  you  can  understand  the  pleasure  I 
feel,  as  chief  executive  of  Maryland,  in  extending  to  you  and  the 
officers  and  sailors  of  the  fleet  of  your  nation  a  heartfelt  welcome  to 
the  shores  of  our  old  Commonwealth — a  Commonwealth  that  has  been 
associated  so  closely  with  your  own  country  through  the  services  of  so 
many  of  your  distinguished  patriots  and  brave  sailors  and  soldiers. 

May  the  friendship  founded  on  these  services,  and  cemented  by  the 
blood  of  the  two  nations,  last  through  all  the  years  to  come. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 


From  painting  by  Miss  Beaux,  presented  by  the  Class  of  1881  to  United  States  Naval 

Academy,  1906. 


PRAYER  OF  CHAPLAIN  CLARK 
U.  S.  NAVY 

Our  Heavenly  Father :  We  thank  Thee  for  the  memory  of  the  one 
whom  we  honor  to-day ;  for  the  insight  and  bravery  which  he  carried 
to  the  crowning  act  of  his  life,  the  act  that  so  inspired  and  strengthened 
the  hearts  of  the  people  in  their  great  struggle  for  nationality.  We 
thank  Thee  for  the  sympathy  and  the  material  support  so  freely  given 
him  by  the  great  nation  beyond  the  sea.  And  now  may  there  come  to 
our  whole  people  a  quickened  perception  of  how  great  a  thing  it  is  to 
be  citizens  of  this  land ;  to  be  possessors  of  such  a  material  inheritance  ; 
to  have  national  ideals  that  may  be  pursued  with  utmost  Christian 
earnestness,  perseverance,  and  devotion.  And  may  all  have  an  ever- 
deepening  sense  of  dependence  upon  Thee  for  the  gifts  that  are  our 
distinction  and  joy  as  a  nation.  And  Thy  name  shall  have  the  glory. 
Amen. 

4i 


o//rj 


TcU  hommci  rareme.nl  fc  pen  von  i  piv'lenier, 
El  quand  te  Giul  Ics  dortne,H  fhm  en  profit* 


From  engraving  by  Jean-Michel  Moreau  le  Jeune,  Paris,  1781,  original  in  possession  of  the 

Bostonian  Society. 


II.  PAPERS  AND  REPORTS 


DISCOVERY,    IDENTIFICATION,    AND    TRANSFER    OF 
REMAINS    OF   JOHN    PAUL   JONES 

MESSAGE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  : 

For  a  number  of  years  efforts  have  been  made  to  confirm  the  his- 
torical statement  that  the  remains  of  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones  were 
interred  in  a  certain  piece  of  ground  in  the  city  of  Paris  then  owned 
by  the  Government  and  used  at  the  time  as  a  burial  place  for  foreign 
Protestants.  These  efforts  have  at  last  resulted  in  documentary  proof 
that  John  Paul  Jones  was  buried  on  July  20,  1792,  between  8  and  9 
o'clock  p.  m.,  in  the  now  abandoned  cemetery  of  St.  Louis,  in  the 
northeastern  section  of  Paris.  About  500  bodies  were  interred  there, 
and  the  body  of  the  admiral  was  probably  among  the  last  hundred 
buried.  It  was  incased  in  a  leaden  coffin,  calculated  to  withstand  the 
ravages  of  time. 

The  cemetery  was  about  130  feet  long  by  120  feet  wide.  Since  its 
disuse  as  a  burial  place  the  soil  has  been  filled  to  a  level  and  covered 
almost  completely  by  buildings,  most  of  them  of  an  inferior  class. 

The  American  ambassador  in  Paris,  being  satisfied  that  it  is  practicable 
to  discover  and  identify  the  remains  of  John  Paul  Jones,  has,  after  pro- 
longed negotiations  with  the  present  holders  of  the  property  and  the 
tenants  thereof,  secured  from  them  options  in  writing  which  give  him 
the  right  to  dig  in  all  parts  of  the  property  during  a  period  of  three 
months  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  excavations  and 
searches,  upon  condition  of  a  stated  compensation  for  the  damage  and 
annoyance  caused  by  the  work.  The  actual  search  is  to  be  conducted 
by  the  chief  engineer  of  the  municipal  department  of  Paris  having 
charge  of  subterranean  works  at  a  cost  which  has  been  carefully  esti- 
mated. The  ambassador  gives  the  entire  cost  of  the  work,  including  the 
options,  compensation,  cost  of  excavating,  and  caring  for  the  remains, 
as  not  exceeding  180,000  francs,  or  $35,000,  on  the  supposition  that 

43 


44  Papers   and  Reports 


the  body  may  not  be  found  until  the  whole  area  has  been  searched. 
If  earlier  discovered,  the  expense  would  be  proportionately  less. 

The  great  interest  which  our  people  feel  in  the  story  of  Paul  Jones's 
life,  the  national  sense  of  gratitude  for  the  great  service  done  by  him 
toward  the  achievement  of  independence,  and  the  sentiment  of  min- 
gled distress  and  regret  felt  because  the  body  of  one  of  our  greatest 
heroes  lies  forgotten  and  unmarked  in  foreign  soil,  lead  me  to  approve 
the  ambassador's  suggestion  that  Congress  should  take  advantage  of 
this  unexpected  opportunity  to  do  proper  honor  to  the  memory  of  Paul 
Jones,  and  appropriate  the  sum  of  $35,000,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may 
be  necessary,  for  the  purposes  above  described,  to  be  expended  under 
the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 

The  report  of  Ambassador  Porter,  with  the  plans  and  photograph  of 
the  property,  is  annexed  hereto. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  recommendation,  I  urge  that  Congress 
emphasize  the  value  set  by  our  people  upon  the  achievements  of  the 
naval  commanders  in  our  war  of  independence  by  providing  for  the 
erection  of  appropriate  monuments  to  the  memory  of  two,  at  least,  of 
those  who  now  lie  in  undistinguished  graves — John  Paul  Jones  and  John 
Barry.  These  two  men  hold  unique  positions  in  the  history  of  the 
birth  of  our  Navy.  Their  services  were  of  the  highest  moment  to 
the  young  Republic  in  the  days  when  it  remained  to  be  determined 
whether  or  not  she  should  win  out  in  her  struggle  for  independence. 
It  is  eminently  fitting  that  these  services  should  now  be  commemorated 
in  suitable  manner. 

Theodore  Roosevelt. 

The  White  House,  February  13 ,  1905. 


AMBASSADOR   PORTER  TO  THE)  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[Telegram.] 

Paris,  April  14.,  1905. 
My  six  years'  search  for  remains  of  Paul  Jones  has  resulted  in  success. 
Having  explored  the  old  St.  Louis  cemetery,  where  Admiral  was  buried 
in  leaden  coffin,  and  where  I  had  verified  the  facts  that  all  the  dead 
remained  entirely  undisturbed,  I  found  only  four  coffins  of  lead.  The 
first  three  bore  plates  giving  names  and  dates  of  burial,  the  fourth  was 
in  solidity  of  construction  and  workmanship  much  superior  to  the 
others.  Like  them  was  similar  in  shape  to  mummy  coffins,  widening 
from  feet  to  shoulders  with  small  round  top  to  fit  head,  like  all  coffins 
of  that  period.  No  plate  could  be  found;  one  may  have  been  put  on 
outer  wooden  coffin,  few  vestiges  of  which  are  left.  Another  corpse 
had  been  buried  immediately  on  top.  Appearances  indicate  that  in 
digging  that  grave  wooden  coffin  had  been  partly  stripped  off.     Plate 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  45 


may  then  have  been  carried  away.  On  opening  coffin  body  fortunately 
found  quite  well  preserved,  coffin  having  been  filled  with  alcohol,  but 
which  had  evaporated,  and  body  carefully  packed  in  straw.  As  I 
predicted  in  a  former  report,  coffin  contained  neither  uniform,  sword, 
nor  decorations.  It  was  discovered  in  one  of  the  spots  where  I 
expected  to  find  it.  I  took  it  to  the  School  of  Medicine,  where  Doctors 
Capitan  and  Papillault,  the  distinguished  professors  of  the  School  of 
Anthropology,  well  known  for  their  large  experience  in  such  matters, 
were  charged  with  removing  the  body  from  the  coffin  and  making 
minute  examination  for  purposes  of  identification.  They  were  fur- 
nished with  medallions,  portraits,  Houdon's  two  busts,  authentic 
measurements,  description  of  color  of  hair,  and  all  the  mass  of  infor- 
mation which  had  been  collected  regarding  Paul  Jones's  appearance. 
The  following  facts  were  fully  substantiated:  Length  of  body,  5  feet  7 
inches,  Paul  Jones's  exact  height;  head  in  size  and  shape  identical  with 
head  of  Paul  Jones,  hair  on  head  and  body  dark  brown,  same  as  that  of 
Paul  Jones,  in  places  slightly  gray,  indicating  person  of  his  age,  45 
years;  high  forehead,  hair  long,  combed  back,  reaching  below  his 
shoulders  gathered  in  a  clasp  at  back  of  neck,  curled  in  two  rolls  on 
temples;  face  clean  shaven,  corresponding  exactly  with  descriptions, 
portraits,  and  busts  of  the  Admiral.  Buried  in  shirt  and  wrapped  in 
sheet;  linen  in  good  condition,  bearing  a  small  initial  worked  with 
thread,  either  a  "  J  "  or,  if  read  upside  down,  a  "P."  Coffin  very  solid. 
Body  carefully  preserved  and  packed.  Limbs  wrapped  with  tin  foil, 
evidently  for  purpose  of  sea  transportation  a  long  distance,  as  indicated 
in  an  authentic  letter  of  his  particular  friend  and  pallbearer,  Colonel 
Blackden,  which  says:  "  His  body  was  put  into  a  leaden  coffin  on  the 
20th  that  in  case  the  United  States,  which  he  had  so  essentially  served 
and  with  so  much  honor,  should  claim  his  remains  they  might  be  more 
easily  removed."  Autopsy  showed  distinct  proofs  of  disease  of  which 
Admiral  is  known  to  have  died.  Identification  complete  in  every  par- 
ticular. Detailed  reports  of  all  facts  duly  certified  by  participants  and 
witnesses  will  go  by  mail.  Will  have  remains  put  in  suitable  casket 
and  deposited  in  receiving  vault  of  American  Church  till  decision 
reached  as  to  most  appropriate  means  of  transportation   to  America. 

Porter. 


THE  ACTING  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  AMBASSADOR  PORTER 

[Telegram.] 

Department  of  State, 
Washington ,  April  15,  ipoj. 

The  Department  has  great  pleasure  in  sending  cordial  congratulations 
upon  your  success  in  finding  body  of  Paul  Jones. 

Loomis. 


46  Papers   and  Reports 

THE  ACTING  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  AMBASSADOR  PORTER 

[Telegram.] 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  April  zy,  1905. 
The  Government  will  send  a  naval  squadron  to  bring  back  the  remains 
of  Jones.     Some  time  in  June  is  suggested  as  convenient  period. 

Loomis. 


AMBASSADOR  PORTER  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[Telegram.] 

American  Embassy, 

Paris,  April  20,  1905. 
Thanks  for  congratulations.     Any  time  month  of  June  would  be  good 
season  for  arrival  of  fleet.     Deposited  remains  to-day  in  vault  American 
church  incased  in  original  coffin,  a  leaden  casket  and  oak  coffin  covered 
with  American  flag. 

Porter. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  GENERAL  PORTER 
[Telegram.] 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  June  20,  1905. 

Obtain  permission   to  land   military   force   under   arms   from   Rear- 
Admiral  Sigsbee's  squadron  as  escort  for  body  Paul  Jones. 

Hay. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  ACTING  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  GENERAL 

PORTER 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  June  27,  1905. 

Sir:  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of 
the  2d  instant,  transmitting  a  memorandum  of  the  exact  method  pur- 
sued in  recoffining  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones  for  transporation  to  the 
United  States. 

I  have  caused  a  copy  of  your  communication  to  be  sent  to  the  Navy 
Department  for  the  completion  of  its  files  in  connection  with  the 
subject. 

As  this  memorandum  completes  your  most  interesting  and  valuable 
report,   I  beg  leave  to  tender  the  Department's  hearty  congratulations 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  ^y 


on  the  successful  termination  of  your  patriotic  and  zealous  efforts,  which 
have  brought  about  an  occurrence  of  not  only  historic  but  of  scientific 
importance. 

I  am,  etc.,  Herbert  H.  D.  Peirce. 


THK  ACTING  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  AMBASSADOR  McCORMICK 

[Telegram.] 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  June  30,  1903. 
General  Porter  has  been  appointed  by  the  President  special  ambas- 
sador, and  from  his  late  position  will  be  considered  as  the  senior  of  the 
two  special  ambassadors  to  arrange  on  behalf  of  the  United  States  for 
the  reception  of  the  body  of  Paul  Jones.  In  the  actual  delivery  of  the 
body  General  Porter,  as  special  ambassador,  will  deliver  it  to  Special 
Ambassador  Loomis.  This  *  *  *  is  designed  by  this  Government 
to  recognize  General  Porter's  great  services,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
show  the  keen  interest  of  the  Government  by  having  sent  over  a  special 
ambassador  to  assist  at  the  function. 

Peirce. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    THREE    FOLLOWING    ILLUSTRA- 
TIONS 

THE  LIFE  SIZE  HOUDON  BUST  OF  PAUL  JONES — VIEWED  FROM  THE 
SAME  ANGLE  AS  THE  HEAD  ON  THE  SECOND  FOLLOWING  PAGE  AND 
REPRODUCED   ON   THE   SAME   SCALE 

[From  plaster  cast  in  the  Trocadero,  Paris.] 

In  the  comparison  attention  should  be  paid  especially  to  the  contour  of  the  brow; 
the  arch  of  the  eyebrows;  the  width  between  the  eyes;  the  high  cheek  bones;  the 
muscles  of  the  face;  and  the  distances  between  the  hair  and  the  root  of  the  nose, 
between  the  subnasal  point  and  the  lips,  and  between  the  lips  and  the  point  of  the 
chin.  The  peculiar  shape  of  the  lobe  of  the  ear  in  the  bust  is  the  exact  counterpart 
of  that  observed  in  the  body,  but  is  lost  in  shadow  in  the  photograph  on  the  second 
following  page. — H.  P. 

THE   HEAD   OF   THE    RECOVERED    BODY   OF    JOHN   PAUL   JONES 

This  photograph,  taken  after  the  examination  of  Paul  Jones's  body  for  identifica- 
tion, is  interesting  as  showing  the  well-preserved  condition  of  the  flesh.  The  carti- 
laginous portion  of  the  nose  had  been  bent  over  to  the  right,  pressed  down,  and 
entirely  distorted.  This  disfigurement  was  clearly  due  to  the  fact  that  when  the  body 
was  put  in  the  coffin  an  excess  of  the  hay-and-straw  packing  had  been  placed  under 
the  head  and  the  mass  of  long  hair  had  been  gathered  into  the  linen  cap  at  the  back. 
This  raised  the  face  so  high  that  the  coffin  lid  pressed  upon  it.  This  pressure  had 
been  so  great  that  the  head  itself  was  found  turned  a  little  to  the  right.  The  angle 
at  which  the  photograph  was  taken  causes  the  disfigured  nose  to  look  as  if  it  were 
Roman  in  shape,  the  end  being  bent  over  and  depressed,  giving  the  bridge  an  unnat- 
ural prominence.  The  bony  part  of  the  nose  is  pronounced  by  the  scientists  as 
entirely  compatible  with  the  undulating  outline  seen  on  the  authentic  busts.  The 
other  features  conform  strictly  to  those  of  the  busts,  as  proved  by  the  anthropometric 
measurements.  The  general  expression  of  the  face  is  not  as  good  as  if  it  had  been 
taken  immediately  after  opening  the  coffin.  The  skin  has  shrunk  and  the  lips  have 
contracted  by  exposure  to  the  air,  showing  the  edges  of  the  teeth,  which  were  not 
visible  at  first.  The  hair,  which  was  found  neatly  dressed,  is  in  disorder,  and  could 
not  be  rearranged,  as  an  attempt  to  comb  it  revealed  a  danger  of  pulling  it  out.  The 
oblique  lines  on  the  face  were  made  by  creases  in  the  winding  sheet,  and  the  right 
shoulder  bears  marks  caused  by  the  force  used  in  packing  the  body  firmly  with  hay 
and  straw. — H.  P. 

THE    COMPOSITE   PRINT  OF   THE    BUST  AND    FACE   OF   JOHN   PAUL   JONES 

This  composite  print  in  a  light-colored  ink  shows  the  agreement  of  the  two  fol- 
lowing prints  of  the  plaster  bust  and  the  human  head. 
48 


<OIXCV  [U.USTRA- 


chin.     The  ] 
of  th  ; 


i    THE 
IXOWI 


.. s;  the 


THi 

■ 

was  pi 
thel 
This  ; 

Roman  in 
ural  proni:' 
entirely  c<  n 
other  feat  • 
meas  i 
taken  imtn 
contracted- 
visible  at  first. 
e  rearranv 

traw. — H.  P. 


arti- 

;>ressed  do 

u  the  fact  ody 

placed  under 

to  the  linen  cap  at  the  back. 

:rin  lid  pi\  sure  had 

is  found  tunit  igle 

caur.  -ere 

etric 

lips  have 

and  could 


THK    COMPOSITE   PRIX 

Te  print  in 

plaster  bu* 


L   JONES 
:  two  fol- 


HOUDON  BUST  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
From  plaster  cast  in  the  Trocadero  Museum,  Paris. 


THE  HEAD  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 


COMPOSITE  OF  THE  TWO  PRECEDING  PRINTS,   SHOWING  THE  REMARKABLE  AGREEMENT 
BETWEEN  THE  PLASTER  BUST  AND  THE  HUMAN   HEAD. 


REPORT  OF  GENERAL  PORTER 

UPON  assuming  charge  of  our  embassy  in  Paris  and  finding  myself 
among  the  old  landmarks,  which  are  still  honored  there  as  recall- 
ing the  many  historic  incidents  in  the  sojourn  of  Paul  Jones  in 
that  brilliant  capital,  I  felt  a  deep  sense  of  humiliation  as  an  American 
citizen  in  realizing  that  our  first  and  most  fascinating  naval  hero  had 
been  lying  for  more  than  a  century  in  an  unknown  and  forgotten  grave, 
and  that  no  serious  attempt  had  ever  been  made  to  recover  his  remains 
and  give  them  appropriate  sepulture  in  the  land  upon  whose  history 
he  had  shed  so  much  luster. 

Knowing  that  he  had  been  buried  in  Paris,  I  resolved  to  undertake 
personally  a  systematic  and  exhaustive  search  for  the  body. 

The  investigation  began  in  June,  1899.  The  first  step  was  to  study 
all  the  writings  obtainable  relating  to  him,  including  official  documents. 
The  certificate  of  his  burial  had  been  registered,  but  the  register  had 
been  placed  with  other  archives  of  the  city  of  Paris  in  an  annex  of  the 
Hotel  de  Ville,  situated  on  Victoria  avenue,  and  had  been  destroyed 
with  other  important  records  when  the  Government  buildings  were 
burned  by  the  Commune  in  May,  1871.  Fortunately,  in  1859,  Mr. 
Charles  Read,  an  archaeologist,  investigator,  and  writer  of  note,  had 
made  a  transcript  of  the  register  in  which  this  certificate  was  recorded, 
and  I  finally  succeeded  in  securing  a  correct  copy.  The  following  is  an 
English  translation  of  this  interesting  document: 

To-day,  July  20,  1792,  year  IV  of  Liberty,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  conformably 
to  the  decree  of  the  National  Assembly  of  yesterday,  in  presence  of  the  delegation  of 
the  said  assembly,  composed  of  Messrs.  Brun,  president  of  the  delegation  of  the  said 
assembly;  Bravet,  Cambon,  Rouyer,  Brival,  Deydier;  Gay  Vernon,  bishop  of  the 
Department  of  Haute- Vienne;  Chabot,  Episcopal  vicar  of  the  Department  of  Loir-et- 
Cher;  Carlier,  Petit,  L,e  Josnes,  Robouame;  and  of  a  deputation  of  the  consistory  of 
the  Protestants  of  Paris,  composed  of  Messrs.  Marron  the  pastor,  Perreaux,  Benard, 
Marquis  Mouquin,  and  Empaytaz,  anciens,  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  for  foreign 
Protestants,  Jean  Paul  Jones,  native  of  England  and  citizen  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  senior  naval  officer  in  the  service  of  the  said  States,  aged  45  years,  died 
the  1 8th  of  this  month  at  his  residence  situated  at  No.  42  Rue  de  Tournon,  from 
dropsy  of  the  chest,  in  the  faith  of  the  Protestant  religion.  The  said  burial  was 
made  in  our  presence  by  Pierre  Francois  Simonneau,  commissary  of  the  King  for 
this  section  and  commissary  of  police  for  the  Ponceau  section,  in  presence  of  M. 
Samuel  Blackden,  colonel  of  dragoons  in  the  service  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina 
and  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  of  America;  J.  C.  Mountflorence,  formerly  major 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States;  Marie  Jean  Baptiste  Benoist  Beaupoil,  formerly 
a  French  officer,  residing  in  Paris  at  No.  7  Passage  des  Petits  Peres;  and  of  Louis 

7257—07 4  49 


50  Papers   and  Reports 


Nicolas  Villeminot,  the  officer  commanding  the  detachment  of  the  grenadiers  of  the 
gendarmerie  which  escorted  the  delegation  of  the  assembly;  and  others  who  have 
signed  with  us. 

Brun;  Gay  Vernon,  bishop  and  deputy;  Deydier,  deputy  from  the  department  of 
Ain;  Rouyer;  Benard;  Francois  Chabot;  J.  C.  Mountflorence;  Petit;  Cambon  fils 
ain£;  Bravet;  Beaupoil;  P.  H.  Carlier;  Durvosque;  Lafontaine;  Simonneau;  Jacques 
Brival;  Villeminot;  Robouame;  deputy;  Marron;  Perreaux;  Mouquin;  Empaytaz; 
R.  Ghiselin,  of  Maryland;  S.  Blackden;  Griffith,  of  Philadelphia. 

Historians  had  differed  as  to  the  date  of  the  death;  the  above-quoted 
certificate  of  burial  fixes  it  definitely  on  July  18,  1792. 

The  best  description  of  Paul  Jones's  last  moments  is  given  in  a  letter 
received  a  month  after  the  funeral  by  his  elder  sister,  Mrs.  Jenny 
Taylor  (sometimes  spelled  in  the  official  documents  Jeanne,  Janet,  and 
Janette),  in  Scotland,  written  by  his  intimate  friend,  a  witness  of  his 
will  and  a  pallbearer  at  his  funeral,  Col.  Samuel  Blackden,  a  planter 
from  North  Carolina,  who  had  served  with  distinction  in  the  American 
Revolution,  and  was  in  Paris  on  business  at  the  time  of  Paul  Jones's 
last  illness  and  death.     The  following  is  an  extract  from  his  letter: 

But  for  two  months  past  he  began  to  lose  his  appetite,  grew  yellow,  and  showed 
symptoms  of  jaundice.  For  this  he  took  medical  treatment  and  for  a  short  time 
seemed  to  grow  better.  A  few  days  before  his  death  his  legs  began  to  swell,  which 
proceeded  upward  to  his  body,  so  that  for  two  days  before  his  decease  he  could 
not  button  his  waistcoat  and  had  great  difficulty  in  breathing. 

I  visited  him  every  day,  and,  beginning  to  be  apprehensive  of  his  danger,  desired 
him  to  settle  his  affairs;  but  he  would  not  take  that  view  of  it,  and  put  off  the  mak- 
ing of  his  will  until  the  afternoon  of  July  18,  when  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  send 
for  a  notary  and  made  his  will.  M.  Beaupoil  and  myself  witnessed  it  and  left  him 
sitting  in  a  chair  in  his  parlor.  A  few  minutes  after  we  retired  he  walked  into  his 
chamber  and  laid  himself  upon  his  face  on  the  bedside,  with  his  feet  on  the  floor. 
The  Queen's  physician,  who  was  attending  him,  came  soon  after,  and  on  entering 
the  apartment  found  him  in  that  position,  and  on  trying  to  lift  him  up  found  that 
he  had  expired.  His  disorder  had  terminated  in  dropsy  of  the  heart.  His  body 
was  put  into  a  leaden  coffin  on  the  20th,  that,  in  case  the  United  States,  which  he 
had  so  essentially  served  and  with  so  much  honor,  should  claim  his  remains  they 
might  be  more  easily  removed. 

M.  Beaupoil,  whom  he  mentioned,  was  a  major  in  the  French  army 
and  an  aid-de-camp  to  La  Fayette,  with  whom  he  had  served  in  the 
American  Revolution. 

I  had  been  misled  for  some  time  by  having  been  furnished  with  an 
alleged  copy  of  the  certificate  of  burial  published  in  the  ' '  Bulletin  of 
the  Society  of  the  History  of  Protestantism,"  in  which  there  had  been 
omitted  after  the  word  ■ '  anciens, ' '  doubtless  through  an  error  of  the 
copyist,  the  following  all-important  phrase  :  ' '  Was  buried  in  the  ceme- 
tery for  foreign  Protestants."  Besides  this,  eight  words  of  minor 
significance  had  been  omitted.  The  fact  that  the  French  construction 
was  defective  without  some  additional  words  led  to  another  search,  and 
in  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  was  at  last  found  a  magazine  called  the 


John    Paul  Jon  e  s  ,  C o  mm  e  mo  r  a  ti  on  51 


1 '  Correspondance  Litteraire,"  containing  an  article  by  Charles  Read,  giv- 
ing the  correct  copy  of  the  certificate  of  burial,  which  he  had  made  from 
the  register  referred  to  and  of  which  the  above  is  a  translation.  The 
article  expressed  the  conviction  of  Mr.  Read  that  the  cemetery  for 
foreign  Protestants  was  the  long-since  abandoned  and  almost  forgotten 
cemetery  of  Saint  Louis,  situated  upon  a  street  formerly  called 
L'Hopital  Saint  Louis,  at  present  Grange-aux-Belles. 

As  some  writers  had  expressed,  however  vaguely,  different  opinions, 
I  instituted  a  long  and  exhaustive  search  to  verify  the  grounds  upon 
which  Mr.  Read  had  based  his  belief. 

Public  records  were  found  showing  that  in  1720  the  Government,  at 
the  instigation  of  Holland,  had  set  aside  a  lot  for  the  burial  of  foreign 
Protestants  near  the  Porte  Saint  Martin,  called  the  "Saint  Martin 
Cemetery,"  but  which  was  closed  in  1762.  The  Saint  Louis  Cemetery 
for  foreign  Protestants  was  opened  about  that  time  and  officially  closed 
in  January,  1793,  six  months  after  Paul  Jones's  decease,  although  some 
interments  were  made  thereafter. 

The  custodian  in  charge  of  each  of  these  cemeteries  was  named 
1 '  Corroy , ' '  and  it  was  ascertained  from  certain  old  documents  discov- 
ered that  the  position  had  descended  from  father  to  son,  which  was 
evidence  tending  to  show  that  the  Saint  Louis  was  the  immediate  suc- 
cessor of  the  Porte  Saint  Martin  Cemetery.  A  copy  was  afterwards 
found  of  a  decree  regarding  the  burial  of  foreign  Protestants,  issued 
May  26,  1781,  officially  confirming  this  fact,  and  approved  by  De  Ver- 
gennes,  minister  of  foreign  affairs  under  Louis  XVI.  From  this  decree 
have  been  taken  the  following  extracts : 

By  an  order  of  council  of  June  20,  1720,  it  was  decreed  that  there  should  be  desig- 
nated a  place  for  the  burial  of  the  bodies  of  foreign  Protestants.  The  ground  which 
was  chosen  was  situated  near  the  Porte  Saint  Martin.     *    *    * 

In  the  year  1762  the  cemetery  was  transferred  behind  the  Saint  Iyouis  Hospital. 

This  description  clearly  designated  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery.  To 
endeavor  to  obtain  some  authentic  information  as  to  whether  there  were 
any  other  cemeteries  for  foreign  Protestants  in  existence  at  the  time, 
and  whether  any  further  corroborative  evidence  could  be  found  regard- 
ing the  burial  place  of  the  Admiral,  an  examination  requiring  several 
months  was  made  of  all  the  journals  and  periodicals  obtainable  of  about 
the  date  of  the  funeral,  which  took  place  July  20,  1792.  Access  was 
had  to  more  than  a  hundred  publications,  which  were  found  in  the  pos- 
session of  libraries,  societies,  and  individuals. 

The  Moniteur,  Tome  XIII,  page  192,  published  a  report  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  National  Assembly,  session  of  July  19,  1792,  the  day 
after  Paul  Jones's  death,  which  contained  the  following  statement : 

A  letter  was  read  from  Colonel  Blackden,  a  friend  of  Commodore  Paul  Jones, 
which  announced  that  his  friend  having  died  in  Paris,  application  was  made  to 


52  Papers   and  Reports 


M.  Simonneau,  commissary  of  the  section,  to  have  him  buried  without  charge  in 
accordance  with  a  formality  still  existing  in  regard  to  Protestants.  M.  Simonneau 
was  indignant  and  replied  that  if  the  expenses  were  not  provided  he  would  pay  them 
himself.     [Applause.] 

The  "formality"  mentioned  referred  to  a  decree  by  which  M.  Simon- 
neau, who  was  also  "commissary  of  the  King,"  was  charged  with  the 
burial  of  all  foreign  Protestants.  The  letter  of  Colonel  Blackden  was 
published  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  that  year,  and  is  as  follows : 

Mr.  President  :  I  announce  to  you  that  Admiral  Paul  Jones  died  last  evening  in 
Paris;  that  the  American  minister  has  ordered  the  person  at  whose  house  the 
Admiral  lodged  to  cause  him  to  be  interred  in  the  most  private  manner  and  at  the 
least  possible  expense ! ! !  This  person,  on  account  of  the  formalities  still  existing 
relative  to  Protestants,  found  it  necessary  to  apply  to  a  commissary.  He  has  done 
it,  and  M.  Simonneau,  the  commissary,  expresses  his  astonishment  at  the  order 
given  by  the  minister,  and  says  that  a  man  who  has  rendered  such  signal  services  to 
France  and  America  ought  to  have  a  public  burial.  He  adds  that  if  America  will 
not  pay  the  expense  he  will  pay  it  himself.  The  friends  of  the  Admiral  wait  the 
orders  of  the  Assembly  respecting  the  mode  of  interment. 

S.  Blackden, 
Late  Colonel  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States. 

In  order  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  whether  M.  Simonneau  had  actually 
paid  the  funeral  expenses  out  of  his  own  means,  or  whether  some  other 
provision  had  been  made,  I  instituted  a  search  in  the  various  depart- 
ments of  the  Government  in  the  hope  of  finding  some  record  of  the  action 
taken.  Fortunately  a  letter  was  finally  found  in  the  national  archives 
written  by  the  then  minister  of  justice,  M.  Dejoly,  dated  July  22,  1792, 
two  days  after  the  funeral,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

To  the  National  Assembly  :  M.  Simonneau  has  furnished  the  cost  of  the  inter- 
ment of  Admiral  Paul  Jones,  of  which  the  bill  amounts  to  462  francs.  This .  is  an 
homage  which  he  has  rendered  to  the  remains  of  this  celebrated  man,  and  this  act  of 
good  citizenship  is  worthy  of  M.  Simonneau,  brother  of  the  mayor  of  £tampes, 
who  died  in  executing  the  law. 

This  brought  to  light  for  the  first  time  the  mortifying  fact  that  the 
hero  who  had  once  been  the  idol  of  the  American  people  had  been  buried 
by  charity,  and  that  the  payment  of  his  funeral  expenses  was  the  timely 
and  generous  act  of  a  foreign  admirer. 

I  made  a  search  to  see  whether  any  needy  lineal  descendants  of 
M.  Pierre  Francois  Simonneau,  the  generous  commissary,  could  be 
found,  with  view  to  paying  to  them  the  amount,  with  interest,  expended 
by  their  worthy  ancestor,  as  a  tardy  recognition  of  his  noble  act.  Six 
persons  of  that  name  were  discovered  and  communicated  with,  but  no 
proof  could  be  obtained  that  anyone  of  them  was  a  descendant. 

Our  minister  to  France  at  that  time,  Gouverneur  Morris,  who  was 
on  terms  of  close  intimacy  with  Paul  Jones  and  who  superintended  the 
drawing  up  of  the  schedule  of  his  property  the  afternoon  before  his 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  53 

death,   says  in  a  letter  dated  April   19,  1793,  published  in  his  "Diary 
and  Letters,"  Volume  II,  page  46,  and  addressed  to  Robert  Morris: 

Before  I  quit  Paul  Jones  I  must  tell  you  that  some  people  here  who  like  rare 
shows  wished  him  to  have  a  pompous  funeral,  and  I  was  applied  to  on  the  subject ; 
but  as  I  had  no  right  to  spend  money  on  such  follies,  either  the  money  of  his  heirs 
or  that  of  the  United  States,  I  desired  that  he  might  be  buried  in  a  private  and 
economical  manner.  I  have  since  had  reason  to  be  glad  that  I  did  not  agree  to 
waste  money,  of  which  he  had  no  great  abundance  and  for  which  his  relatives 
entertained  a  tender  regard. 

The  impression  as  to  the  Admiral's  having  no  great  abundance  of 
means  proved  later  to  be  erroneous.  When  his  effects  were  sold,  stocks 
converted  into  cash,  and  arrears  of  pay  collected,  the  sum  procured 
amounted  to  about  $30,000,  and  much  more  was  realized  afterwards, 
which  went  to  his  heirs.  And  yet  there  seemed  to  be  no  ready  money 
available  at  his  death  to  provide  for  his  funeral. 

After  finding  the  living  successor  to  the  notary  who  made  the  settle- 
ment of  the  estate  and  who  was  in  possession  of  all  the  original  papers 
in  French,  I  had  the  detailed  account  examined,  and  ascertained  that 
M.  Simonneau  had  not  been  reimbursed  for  the  money  he  expended. 
The  inventory  found  among  these  papers  and  made  after  Paul  Jones's 
death  enumerates  among  the  articles  left  by  him  7  uniforms,  12  decora- 
tions, and  4  swords.  It  was  natural  to  suppose  that  this  large  number 
included  all  such  articles  as  he  possessed,  and  as  in  those  days  they 
were  regarded  as  valuable  relics  to  be  bequeathed  to  heirs,  and  as  it  was 
not  customary  to  clothe  the  dead  but  to  bury  them  in  winding  sheets, 
it  seemed  quite  probable  that  no  uniform,  sword,  or  decoration  would 
be  found  in  the  Admiral's  coffin.  Buell  said  of  Paul  Jones  (page  366, 
Vol.  II,  first  ed.):  "He  was  buried  in  a  shroud,  without  uniform  or 
trappings  of  any  kind."  In  the  settlement  of  the  estate  all  the  above- 
named  articles  were  sold  except  the  sword  presented  to  him  by  Louis 
XVI  in  recognition  of  his  heroic  achievement  in  capturing  the  Serapis. 
This  the  Admiral  disposed  of  orally  just  before  his  death,  bequeathing 
it  to  Richard  Dale,  his  first  lieutenant  when  he  captured  the  Serapis, 
saying :  ' '  My  good  old  Dick  is  better  entitled  to  it  than  anyone  else, 
because  he  did  more  than  any  other  to  help  me  win  it." 

M.  Simonneau,  having  taken  so  much  interest  in  Paul  Jones  and 
being  in  sole  charge  of  the  burial  of  foreign  Protestants  in  Paris,  would 
have  naturally  interred  him  in  the  officially  designated  and  most  prom- 
inent burial  ground  devoted  to  that  purpose,  if  there  were  more  than 
one  in  existence.  The  Saint  Louis  Cemetery  was  well  known  and 
officially  designated,  and  as  no  mention  could  be  found  of  any  other  in 
Paris  for  foreign  Protestants  at  the  time,  the  natural  inference  was  that 
the  burial  had  taken  place  there. 

M.  Hop,  ambassador  of  Holland  to  France,  had  succeeded  in  securing 
the  cemetery  granted  by  decree  in  1720,  which  was  opened  in  1724  for 


54  Papers    and     Reports 


foreign  Protestants,  and  in  that  cemetery,  as  well  as  in  its  successors, 
all  the  burials  of  such  persons  could  be  made  only  upon  certificates 
issued  by  the  Dutch  embassy. 

With  a  view  to  ascertaining  some  information  from  that  source,  a 
search  was  made,  at  my  request,  of  the  records  of  the  Dutch  legation  in 
Paris  and  in  the  foreign  office  at  The  Hague,  but  it  was  found  that 
while  some  useful  information  was  obtained,  no  copies  of  such  certifi- 
cates had  been  preserved. 

The  person  who  delivered  Paul  Jones's  funeral  oration  was  M.  Paul 
Henri  Marron,  who  had  come  from  Holland  and  was  pastor  of  a  Prot- 
estant house  of  worship  in  Paris  called  the  ' '  Church  of  Saint  I^ouis. '  ■ 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  rather  florid  address: 

Legislators !  Citizens !  Soldiers !  Friends !  Brethren !  and  Frenchmen  !  We 
have  just  returned  to  the  earth  the  remains  of  an  illustrious  stranger,  one  of  the 
first  champions  of  American  liberty — of  that  liberty  which  so  gloriously  ushered  in 
our  own.  The  Semiramis  of  the  North  had  drawn  him  under  her  standard,  but  Paul 
Jones  could  not  long  breathe  the  pestilential  air  of  despotism  ;  he  preferred  the 
sweets  of  a  private  life  in  France,  now  free,  to  the  eclat  of  titles  and  of  honors  which, 
from  an  usurped  throne,  were  lavished  upon  him  by  Catherine.  The  fame  of  the 
brave  outlives  him,  his  portion  is  immortality.  What  more  flattering  homage  could 
we  pay  to  the  remains  of  Paul  Jones  than  to  swear  on  his  tomb  to  live  and  die  free? 
It  is  the  vow,  it  is  the  watchword  of  every  Frenchman — let  never  tyrants  nor  their 
satellites  pollute  this  sacred  earth!  May  the  ashes  of  the  great  man,  too  soon  lost  to 
humanity,  and  eager  to  be  free,  enjoy  here  an  undisturbed  repose!  Let  his  example 
teach  posterity  the  efforts  which  noble  souls  are  capable  of  making  when  stimulated 
by  hatred  of  oppression.  Friends  and  brethren,  a  noble  emulation  brightens  in  your 
looks  ;  your  time  is  precious — the  country  is  in  danger!  Who  among  us  would  not 
shed  the  last  drop  of  his  blood  to  save  it  ?  Associate  yourselves  with  the  glory  of 
Paul  Jones,  in  imitating  him  in  his  contempt  of  danger,  in  his  devotedness  to  his 
country,  in  his  noble  patriotism,  which,  after  having  astonished  the  present  age, 
will  continue  to  be  the  imperishable  object  of  the  veneration  of  future  generations  ! 

It  is  not  a  little  singular  that,  notwithstanding  the  radical  sentiments 
expressed  by  this  pastor,  he  was  several  times  arrested  by  the  revolu- 
tionists and  was  once  or  twice  in  great  peril  of  his  life. 

I  found  the  book  containing  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  con- 
sistory of  M.  Marron's  church,  but  just  at  the  date  of  Paul  Jones's  death 
four  pages  had  been  torn  out.  This  was  one  of  the  many  disappoint- 
ments encountered  during  the  researches.  I  then  set  to  work  upon 
the  task  of  trying  to  trace  the  lost  leaves.  The  name  of  a  M.  Coquerel, 
a  former  pastor  of  the  church,  was  mentioned  in  a  publication  as 
an  enthusiastic  collector  of  papers  relating  to  Protestantism  in  Paris. 
My  search  in  junk  shops  and  antiquarian  stores  revealed  the  fact  that 
M.  Coquerel' s  heirs  had  sold  some  old  papers  which  had  afterwards 
been  purchased  by  the  Society  of  the  History  of  Protestantism,  and  in 
its  library  were  finally  found  the  four  lost  pages. 

I  now  ascertained  positively  that  M.  Marron  buried  his  parishioners 
in  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery,  and  the  fact  that  he  had  delivered  the 


54 


c  r  s 


-    ■ 

int  house 
The  following 

Legislators!     Citize 
just  returned  to  tl 
champions  of  American 

•  lg  breath 
'  ■ 
ped  throne,  wer- 
brav 

we  |  remains  of  Pa^ 

It  is  the  vow,  it  is  the  v 
satellites  pollute  this  sacred  < 

- 
teach  po.. 
by  hatre. 
look 
shtfl 

Pau  :ating  fab 

country' 
will 

It  is  singular  tl 


netery,  as  Veil  as  in  it: 

ild  b<  >nW  upon  certii; 

ic  information  from  that  sour 
the  records  '<  i  the  Dutch  legation  in 
it  wTas  found  that 
ned,  no  copies  of  such  certifi- 

funeral  was  M.  Paul 

i  a  Prot- 

Louis." 


d   French  i 

^er,  one  c  i 

ishered  in 


d  not 

th  the  glory  of 

his  devotedness  to  his 

shed  the  present  age, 

of  future  generations  ! 


anding  the  * 


exprr  limes  arrested 

tionists  and  \  or  twice 

I  f.  kc  containing  th< 


sistor                                church,  but 

four  j                                     out.     Tl 

oint- 

ment                                     4  the  res 

ipon 

the  t  .                                     the  lost 

ierel, 

a   for 

an  e:                                                     rs  rela1 

•quark 

ii  as 

.   in  Paris. 

the  fact  that 

id  afterwards 

q,  and  in 

• 
I  now  ascei. 

.e  Saint 

oners 
delivered  the 

John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  55 


funeral  oration  of  Paul  Jones  would  be  an  indication  that  he  had  also 
buried  hirn  there. 

While  all  the  proofs  thus  far  distinctly  designated  this  cemetery  as 
the  Admiral's  place  of  burial,  still  it  was  deemed  prudent  to  investigate 
the  source  of  various  rumors  to  the  contrary,  however  improbable. 
The  elder  Dumas  in  his  romance  of  ' '  The  Pioneer ' '  represents  Paul 
Jones  as  having  been  buried  in  Pere  Lachaise.  Notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  this  celebrated  cemetery  had  not  been  opened  till  thirteen  years 
after  the  Admiral  was  buried,  yet  to  be  sure  that  his  body  had  not  been 
transferred  there  in  later  years,  a  thorough  examination  was  made  of 
the  registers  in  which  the  records  of  burials  have  been  carefully  kept. 
The  only  male  persons  found  upon  the  registers  bearing  the  family  name 
of  Jones  were  George  Jones,  but  spelled  ' ' Jones ' '  on  the  gravestone, 
died  in  1820;  John  Quereau  Jones,  in  1822;  James  Jones,  in  1827;  Charles 
Jones,  in  1829;  Bdouard  Thomas  Jones,  in  1833.  It  was  therefore  cer- 
tain that  the  Admiral's  remains  were  not  in  Pere  Lachaise. 

There  was  another  fanciful  story  that  he  had  been  interred  in  Picpus 
Cemetery,  where  La  Fayette  was  buried;  but  as  Paul  Jones,  as  recorded 
in  his  certificate  of  burial,  was  of  the  Protestant  faith,  his  interment  in 
any  cemetery  of  the  established  church  would  have  been  prohibited. 
Still,  a  search  was  made  and  it  disproved  the  rumor. 

A  letter  came  to  me  from  a  person  who  had  lived  in  Scotland  when  a 
child,  many  years  ago,  saying  Paul  Jones  had  been  buried  in  Kirkbean 
churchyard,  near  Dumfries,  Scotland :  that  his  tomb  was  there  with  his 
name  inscribed  on  it,  etc.  I  referred  the  letter  to  the  rector  of  the  church, 
the  Rev.  D.  W.  MacKenzie,  who  replied  that  it  was  the  tomb  of  Paul 
Jones's  father,  saying : 

The  inscription  on  it  is  as  follows:  "In  memory  of  John  Paul,  senior,  who  died 
at  Arbigland,  the  24th  of  October,  1767,  universally  esteemed."  At  the  bottom  of 
the  tomb  appears  the  inscription  :  "Erected  by  John  Paul,  junior."  John  Paul,  of 
course,  is  the  original  name  of  John  Paul  Jones,  the  Admiral.  I  take  great  interest 
in  the  history  of  the  Admiral,  and  local  traditions  or  printed  documents  suggest 
nothing  at  variance  with  the  accepted  opinion  that  he  died  in  Paris  and  was  buried 
in  the  Protestant  cemetery  there. 

After  further  researches  in  every  possible  quarter  that  could  furnish 
information  on  the  subject,  the  fact  was  clearly  and  incontestably  estab- 
lished that  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery  was  the  only  burial  ground  in  Paris 
for  foreign  Protestants  at  the  time  of  Paul  Jones's  death ;  that  he  was 
not  interred  in  any  other  cemetery ;  and  that  Charles  Read  was  perfectly 
correct  in  his  opinion  that  the  Admiral  had  positively  been  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  Saint  Louis.  It  should  be  remembered,  also,  that  the 
act  of  burial  says,  "  The  cemetery  for  foreign  Protestants,"  language 
indicating  that  there  was  only  one  in  existence  devoted  to  that  purpose. 

All  doubt  having  been  removed  as  to  the  place  of  burial,  the  next 
step  was  to  make  a  personal  inspection  of  the  ground  beneath  which 


56  Papers   a  ?id  Reports 


the  long-since  abandoned  cemetery  was  located,  and  to  endeavor  to 
ascertain  its  history  and  its  condition  at  the  time  of  Paul  Jones's  death. 

It  is  situated  in  an  uninviting  section  of  the  northeastern  quarter  of 
Paris,  at  the  corner  of  two  streets  now  known  as  ' '  Rue  Grange-aux- 
Belles"  and  "  Rue  des  Kcluses  Saint  Martin,"  and  covered  with  build- 
ings, principally  of  an  inferior  class.  The  property  at  the  time  of  the 
Admiral's  burial  belonged  to  the  Government,  and  was  sold  to  M.  Phal- 
ipeaux,  a  building  contractor,  in  1796.  This  quarter  of  the  city  was 
known  as  "le  Combat,"  and  the  present  station  of  the  underground 
railroad,  close  to  the  property,  is  called  ' *  Combat."  This  name  was  not 
chosen,  however,  on  account  of  the  burial  there  of  the  most  combative 
of  men,  but  history  attributes  the  term  to  the  fact  that  this  section  of 
Paris  was  long  ago  the  scene  of  all  the  fights  in  which  animals  figured — 
bulls,  cocks,  dogs,  asses,  etc. 

A  street  which  leads  directly  to  the  property  and  ends  there  is 
named  Vicq  d'Azyr,  after  Marie  Antoinette's  physician,  a  friend  of 
Paul  Jones,  who  attended  him  and  who  accompanied  Gouverneur  Mor- 
ris on  his  visit  to  the  Admiral's  house  when  he  lay  on  his  deathbed  the 
evening  of  July  18,  1792.  When  a  person's  name  is  given  to  a  street 
in  Paris,  it  is  generally  in  a  quarter  connected  with  events  in  his  career. 
It  is  possible  that  the  distinguished  physician's  name  was  given  to  the 
street  because  of  its  leading  to  the  place  which  held  the  remains  of  his 
illustrious  friend  and  patient. 

Two  old  maps  of  the  property  were  finally  discovered,  one  made  by 
M.  Jaillot  in  1773  and  one  by  M.  Verniquet  in  1794,  showing  that  the 
ground  consisted  of  a  courtyard  with  a  frontage  of  about  130  feet  upon 
Rue  des  fcluses  Saint  Martin,  with  an  entrance  on  that  street,  and 
a  depth  of  about  90  feet  along  Rue  Grange-aux- Belles.  There  was  a 
garden  in  the  rear  with  a  frontage  of  120  feet  on  Rue  Grange-aux 
Belles  and  a  depth  of  130  feet.  The  surface  of  the  garden  was  about  8 
feet  lower  than  that  of  the  courtyard,  the  descent  to  which  was  made 
by  a  flight  of  steps.  Thirty  years  later  the  grade  of  the  street  had  been 
changed  and  the  garden  had  been  leveled  up  even  with  the  courtyard, 
and  the  fact  seemed  to  have  been  lost  sight  of  that  there  had  ever  been 
a  cemetery  beneath.  There  were  two  cross-walks  dividing  the  garden 
into  four  squares.  The  whole  property  was  surrounded  by  a  wall 
between  6  and  9  feet  high.  There  was  a  house  in  the  courtyard  and  a 
shed,  but  no  buildings  in  the  garden. 

By  a  decree  of  the  Government  the  garden  was  devoted  exclusively 
to  the  burial  of  foreign  Protestants.  On  the  30th  of  September,  1777, 
a  decree  was  issued  permitting  native  Protestants  to  be  buried  there- 
after in  the  courtyard.  This  cemetery,  as  hereinbefore  mentioned,  was 
legally  closed  in  January,  1793,  but  the  former  custodian,  who  had 
become  the  lessee,  and  the  subsequent  owners,  who  had  purchased  the 


4*<«  d*  I'Hfyitat  St.  Louis 

7f»    •*•    &>    </rsnf*    *UM   MciCti. 


1 


Tfua  *<*  £a  Grang-a    au*   Beiias. 


PLAN   OF   THE   CEMETERY  OP  SAINT   LOUIS   IN    1792. 

The  oblong  mark  shows  the  position  of  the  coffin 
of  Paul  Jones  relative  to  the  cross  walk. 


PLAN   OF   THE   BUILDINGS   COVERING  THE    CEMETERY   OF 
SAINT   LOUIS   IN    I9O5. 

The  space  from  A  to  B  is  the  street  front  of  the  abandoned 
cemetery. 


Substratum  of  gypsum 


CROSS  SECTION  OF  THE  CEMETERY  ON  THE  LINES  INDICATED   IN  THE  MAP  ON  THE  FOLLOWING  PAGE  BY 

THE  LETTERS  U,  V,  W,  X,  Y,  Z. 


The  short  dark  line  at  the  left  indicates  the  position  of  the  coffin  of  John  Paul  Jones. 


RUE    GRANGE 


PLAN  OF  THE  SHAFTS  SUNK  AND  GALLERIES  EXCAVATED  IN  THE  SEARCH  FOR  THE  BODY  OF 

JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 

The  shafts  are  indicated  by  letters  in  the  order  in  which  they  were  sunk;  the  galleries  excavated 
are  indicated  by  cross  timbering;  the  rays  from  the  ends  of  some  of  the  galleries  denote  sound- 
ings for  leaden  coffins  with  iron  bars,  but  the  soundings  are  not  all  indicated,  since  they  were 
made  from  the  ends  and  sides  of  all  the  galleries;  all  the  leaden  coffins  are  indicated  by  numerals 
in  the  order  of  finding  them,  the  coffin  of  John  Paul  Jones  being  No.  3,  but  during  the  time  occu- 
pied in  the  identification  of  the  body  4  and  5  were  discovered.  The  dimensions  of  the  ceme- 
tery are  approximately  120  by  130  feet. 


John    Paul  /ones    Commemoration  57 


property  from  the  Government,  were  allowed  to  make  some  burials  for 
eleven  years  thereafter. 

I  found  in  the  tenth  arrondissement  (then  the  fifth),  a  copy  of  a 
letter  written  by  the  mayor,  dated  May  26,  1804,  directing  Citizen 
Richer  to  inspect  the  Protestant  cemetery.  After  a  long  search  I  dis- 
covered in  another  quarter  of  the  city  his  report,  dated  June  8  of  that 
year.  It  was  in  much  detail  and  was  entirely  in  accordance  with  the 
maps  heretofore  mentioned  in  describing  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery. 
Its  accuracy  was  verified  in  every  particular  when  this  cemetery  was 
afterwards  explored. 

The  next  question  was  whether  the  dead  had  ever  been  removed 
from  this  abandoned  cemetery,  as  had  been  the  case  in  some  others. 
Satisfactory  proof  was  readily  obtained  that  such  an  act  had  not  taken 
place  before  1803  or  after  1830.  A  search  of  the  registers  of  the  Cata- 
combs, where  all  the  dead  that  are  removed  from  abandoned  cemeteries 
are  deposited,  showed  no  record  of  any  bodies  having  been  received 
from  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery  between  the  above  dates  or  at  any  other 
time,  and  there  could  be  found  no  information  in  any  of  the  public 
departments  showing  that  any  removal  had  ever  been  made  from  that 
burial  ground  except  of  the  remains  of  Lady  Alexander  Grant,  whose 
body  had  been  exhumed  for  transportation  to  England  by  formal  per- 
mission of  the  city  authorities,  duly  recorded  May  2,  1803.  There  was 
registered  at  the  Catacombs  the  receipt  of  leaden  coffins  from  other 
abandoned  cemeteries,  and  the  removal  there  of  a  hand  stretcher  load 
of  human  bones  from  No.  39  Rue  Grange-aux-Belles,  and  another  from 
No.  4  Rue  des  fcluses  Saint  Martin.  These  lots  had  once  been  used  as 
a  kind  of  potter's  field.  They  were  near  to,  but  entirely  outside  of, 
the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery. 

Having  established  the  impossibility  of  the  leaden  coffin  having  been 
removed  by  legitimate  means,  the  only  remaining  doubt  that  could  exist 
was  based  upon  the  suggestion  that  it  might  have  been  unearthed  by 
the  revolutionary  armies  to  convert  it  into  bullets.  This  unfounded 
surmise  did  not  make  much  of  an  impression  after  a  study  of  all  the  cir- 
cumstances and  talks  with  the  "  oldest  inhabitants,"  by  whom  traditions 
of  a  former  age  are  often  handed  down.  The  French  have  a  pro- 
found respect  for  the  dead  and  the  sacredness  of  places  of  burial;  the 
humblest  citizen  uncovers  reverently  when  a  funeral  passes;  graves  are 
tenderly  cared  for  and  kept  decked  with  flowers,  and  their  desecration 
is  a  rare  crime. 

At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  there  were  statues  and  busts  of  lead  in 
exposed  places  and  extensive  lead  piping  to  carry  the  water  from  the 
Seine  to  Versailles,  etc.,  none  of  which  was  disturbed.  Moreover,  the 
metal  contained  in  the  few  leaden  coffins  to  be  found  at  that  date  in  a 
Paris  cemetery  would  not  have  repaid  the  digging  or  furnished  bullets 
for  a  single  battalion. 


58  Papers   a  ?i  d  Reports 


If  the  Admiral  had  been  buried  in  a  wooden  coffin  hardly  a  vestige 
of  it  would  have  been  in  existence  and  only  the  mere  skeleton  of  the 
body  would  have  been  found.  Fortunately,  however,  the  authentic  letter 
written  to  Mrs.  Janet  Taylor,  Paul  Jones's  eldest  sister,  by  Colonel 
Blackden,  and  hereinbefore  quoted,  contained  the  following  valuable 
information: 

His  body  was  put  into  a  leaden  coffin  on  the  20th,  that  in  case  the  United  States, 
which  he  had  so  essentially  served  and  with  so  much  honor,  should  claim  his 
remains  they  might  be  more  easily  removed. 

The  bill  of  462  francs  paid  by  M.  Simonneau  for  the  funeral  expenses 
was  corroborative  of  this  fact,  inasmuch  as  the  cost  of  an  ordinary 
funeral  in  those  days,  as  ascertained  from  the  records,  was  128  francs, 
while  that  of  a  hospital  patient  cost  as  little  as  89  francs,  distributed  as 
follows:  Coffin  10  francs,  choristers  10,  sexton  15,  commissary  48,  his 
clerk  6.  The  payment  therefor  of  462  francs,  more  than  three  times 
the  value  of  that  sum  at  the  present  day,  would  have  provided  for  an 
unusually  large  expenditure,  and  would  have  amply  covered  the  cost  of 
a  substantial  leaden  coffin,  a  thorough  preparation  of  the  body  to  insure 
its  preservation,  and  an  elaborate  system  of  packing,  with  a  view  to  its 
transportation  by  sea. 

There  had  now  been  fully  established  by  authentic  documents  and 
convincing  corroborative  evidence  the  fact  that  the  Saint  Louis  Cemetery 
was  the  actual  burial  place  of  Paul  Jones;  that  he  had  been  buried  in  a 
leaden  coffin;  that  the  body  had  been  prepared  for  transportation  to  the 
United  States;  that  the  coffin  had  never  been  removed  by  legitimate 
means,  and  that  there  was  no  probability  that  it  had  been  carried  away 
by  stealth  or  had  been  stolen. 

After  having  studied  the  manner  and  place  of  his  burial  and  contem- 
plated the  circumstances  connected  with  the  strange  neglect  of  his  grave, 
one  could  not  help  feeling  pained  beyond  expression  and  overcome  by  a 
sense  of  profound  mortification.  Here  was  presented  the  spectacle  of  a 
hero  whose  fame  once  covered  two  continents,  and  whose  name  is  still 
an  inspiration  to  a  world-famed  navy,  lying  for  more  than  a  century  in 
a  forgotten  grave,  like  an  obscure  outcast,  relegated  to  oblivion  in  a 
squalid  quarter  of  a  distant  foreign  city,  buried  in  ground  once  conse- 
crated, but  since  desecrated  by  having  been  used  at  times  as  a  garden, 
with  the  moldering  bodies  of  the  dead  fertilizing  its  market  vegetables, 
by  having  been  covered  later  by  a  common  dump  pile,  where  dogs  and 
horses  had  been  buried,  and  the  soil  was  still  soaked  with  polluted 
waters  from  undrained  laundries,  and,  as  a  culmination  of  degradation, 
by  having  been  occupied  by  a  contractor  for  removing  night  soil. 

It  recalls  the  remark  once  made  by  a  gallant  naval  officer:  ' '  When  we 
give  up  our  lives  in  the  service  of  our  country  we  do  not  ask  that  our 
graves  be  kept  green,  but  should  like  to  have  them  kept  clean." 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  59 


Having  collected  all  the  facts  necessary  to  justify  an  immediate 
attempt  to  remove  the  remains  from  such  offensive  surroundings,  and 
secure  for  them  appropriate  sepulture  in  America,  I  was  about  to  open 
negotiations  quietly  with  the  proprietors  and  tenants  who  occupied  the 
property  with  a  view  to  purchasing  the  right  to  enter  upon  the  premises 
and  make  the  necessary  excavations  in  order  to  explore  thoroughly  the 
cemetery,  when  unfortunately  the  news  of  this  intention  became  pub- 
licly known  through  the  indiscretion  of  persons  who  had  been  consulted 
on  the  subject.  Self -constituted  agents  immediately  began  to  busy 
themselves  with  circulating  fantastic  stories  regarding  the  fabulous 
prices  that  were  to  be  paid  for  the  property,  the  whole  of  which  it  was 
said  was  going  to  be  bought  by  a  rich  government,  at  any  cost,  as  the 
only  means  of  getting  access  to  the  cemetery  and  making  the  excava- 
tions necessary  to  find  the  body  of  its  great  admiral.  Such  representa- 
tions naturally  created  intense  excitement,  raised  false  hopes  in  the 
minds  of  those  interested  in  the  property,  and  rendered  negotiations  on 
a  practicable  basis  entirely  impossible.  This  was  altogether  the  most 
discouraging  episode  in  the  history  of  the  undertaking. 

There  was  then  but  one  course  to  pursue,  however  reluctantly,  which 
was  to  drop  the  matter  entirely  for  a  couple  of  years,  in  order  to  let  the 
excitement  subside. 

At  the  end  of  that  time  negotiations  were  quietly  opened  upon  the 
basis  of  purchasing  the  right  to  explore  the  abandoned  cemetery  by 
means  of  subterranean  galleries,  provided  that  all  damages  to  houses 
should  be  repaired,  any  victims  of  disease  caused  by  foul  emanations 
from  the  disturbed  soil  indemnified,  and  the  property  afterwards  restored 
to  its  former  condition.  After  a  series  of  prolonged  and  tedious  nego- 
tiations, appeals  to  the  public  spirit  of  the  occupants  of  the  property, 
and  an  assurance  that  the  United  States  Government  had  made  no 
appropriation  or  taken  any  action  in  the  matter,  and  that  the  work  was 
simply  an  individual  undertaking,  I  at  last  succeeded  in  procuring 
options  in  writing  from  all  concerned  granting  the  right  for  three 
months  to  enter  upon  the  premises  and  make  the  necessary  excavations. 

President  Roosevelt,  upon  learning  of  the  undertaking,  had  asked  for 
information  regarding  it,  and  upon  receiving  my  reply,  giving  an 
account  of  the  project,  sent  an  urgent  message  to  Congress  in  February, 
1905,  recommending  an  appropriation  of  $35,000,  the  estimated  cost  of 
carrying  out  the  work.  It  was  late  in  the  short  session,  and  no  action 
was  taken.  It  would  not  have  been  altogether  unnatural,  however,  to 
regard  the  scheme  as  too  Utopian  in  its  nature  to  receive  serious  con- 
sideration, the  remains  of  the  Admiral  having  been  long  since  relegated 
to  the  realms  of  mystery  and  given  up  as  lost  beyond  recovery. 

As  no  promise  could  be  secured  as  to  how  long  the  options  obtained 
would  be  allowed  to  hold  good,  and  as  it  was  quite  certain  that  if  they 


6o  Papers   and  Reports 


lapsed  they  could  never  be  renewed  upon  any  such  terms,  if  at  all,  on 
account  of  changes  among  the  tenants,  the  adverse  disposition  of  some  of 
the  occupants,  the  publicity  which  had  now  been  given  the  matter,  etc. , 
I  deemed  it  a  duty  to  pay  at  once  the  sums  demanded  in  advance  to  bind 
the  options,  and  to  proceed  with  the  work. 

The  prefect  of  the  Seine  kindly  permitted  M.  Paul  Weiss  of  the  serv- 
ice of  the  carrieres  (quarries)  of  the  city  of  Paris  to  direct  the  work, 
which  was  begun  on  Friday,  February  3,  1905.  This  experienced  and 
accomplished  mining  engineer  displayed  a  professional  skill  of  the  very 
highest  order,  and  by  his  ability,  zeal,  and  devotion  to  the  work  greatly 
facilitated  the  task.  The  project  presented  serious  difficulties  from  the 
fact  that  the  filling  of  earth  above  the  cemetery  was  composed  of  the 
dumpings  of  loose  soil  not  compact  enough  to  stand  alone,  and  the  shafts 
and  galleries  had  to  be  solidly  lined  and  shored  up  with  heavy  timbers  as 
the  excavations  proceeded.  The  drainage  was  bad  in  places  and  there 
was  trouble  from  the  water.  The  walls  of  one  of  the  buildings  were 
considerably  damaged.  Slime,  mud,  and  mephitic  odors  were  encoun- 
tered, and  long  red  worms  appeared  in  abundance. 

The  first  shaft  was  opened  in  one  of  the  yards  to  a  depth  of  18  feet. 
It  proved  clearly  that  the  dead  had  never  been  disturbed.  This  fact 
was  most  satisfactory  as  disproving  the  predictions  so  often  made  to  the 
contrary.  The  skeletons  were  found  lying  about  a  foot  apart,  generally 
in  two  layers,  one  above  the  other,  and  in  some  places  there  were  three. 
This  was  a  verification  of  the  report  of  Citizen  Richer,  hereinbefore 
mentioned,  saying  that  the  dead  were  buried  in  a  fosse  (trench),  which 
indicated  that  they  were  not  interred  in  separate  graves  and  were  of  a 
poor  class.  This  led  to  the  conclusion  that  there  would  be  very  few 
leaden  coffins  found,  as  they  could  be  afforded  only  by  persons  in  easy 
circumstances.     But  few  vestiges  were  left  of  the  wooden  coffins. 

Two  more  large  shafts  were  sunk  in  the  yards  and  two  in  the  Rue 
Grange-aux-Belles,  making  five  in  all.  Day  and  night  gangs  of  work- 
men were  employed,  and  active  progress  was  made.  Galleries  were 
pushed  in  every  direction  and  ' '  soundings ' '  were  made  between  them 
with  long  iron  tools  adapted  to  this  purpose,  so  that  no  leaden  coffin 
could  possibly  be  missed. 

The  first  of  the  four  squares  explored  was  the  one  on  the  right  of  the 
original  entrance  to  the  cemetery.  Here  the  excavators  encountered  a 
mass  of  skeletons,  in  three  layers,  superposed.  They  were  placed  irreg- 
ularly, some  lying  face  down  and  others  on  their  sides,  in  one  layer  piled 
lengthwise  and  in  the  one  above  crosswise,  just  as  one  would  pile  cord 
wood,  the  bodies  being  so  close  together  that  they  could  not  have  been 
buried  in  coffins.  No  explanation  of  the  peculiar  condition  of  things  in 
this  portion  of  the  cemetery  suggested  itself  until  one  day  I  came  across 
a  copy  of  a  drawing  by  Bericourt  representing  the  corpses  of  the  Swiss 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


Guard  killed  in  defending  the  Tuileries  being  hurriedly  thrown  into 
carts  to  be  hauled  away  for  burial.  As  it  is  known  that  most  of  them 
were  Protestants,  it  is  altogether  likely  that  they  were  interred  in  the 
Saint  Louis  Cemetery  in  the  confused  manner  indicated  by  the  position 
of  the  skeletons  found  there.  This  slaughter  occurred  August  10,  1792, 
twenty-one  days  after  Paul  Jones's  burial.  If  the  above  inference  be 
correct,  it  furnishes  another  proof  that  although  the  cemetery  was  closed 
soon  after  his  death  there  was  plenty  of  room  left  for  his  coffin  at  the 
time  of  his  burial,  for  the  reason  that  so  many  bodies  were  interred 
there  afterwards. 

I  had  given  orders  that  if  not  present  when  a  leaden  coffin  was  dis- 
covered I  should  be  sent  for  at  once,  as  I  was  desirous  of  superintending 
personally  the  search  for  an  inscription  plate  and  any  other  indications 
that  might  aid  in  the  identification. 

On  February  22  the  first  leaden  coffin  was  discovered.  The  round 
projecting  end  containing  the  head  had  been  broken  off  and  the  skull 
was  detached  from  the  body.  The  remains  of  a  water  barrel  were  found 
near  by.  As  the  cemetery,  after  being  closed,  had  been  used  as  a  market 
garden,  the  barrel  had  evidently  been  sunk  in  this  spot  to  catch  the 
water  drained  from  the  courtyard,  and  in  excavating  for  it  the  head  of 
the  coffin  had  been  knocked  off.  The  outer  wooden  coffin  had  nearly 
disappeared,  and  the  inscription  plate  it  bore  had  fallen  on  the  lid  of  the 
leaden  coffin.  This  plate  was  of  copper,  and  had  become  so  brittle  that 
when  lifted  it  broke  and  a  portion  of  it  crumbled  to  pieces.  It  was  so 
corroded  and  incrusted  that  no  portion  of  the  inscription  could  be  read. 
Handling  it  with  great  care,  I  proceeded  with  it  in  person  to  Messrs. 
Andre  &  Son,  the  well-known  decipherers  and  restorers  of  ancient 
enamels  and  art  objects,  who  promised  to  apply  all  their  skill  to  the  task 
of  reading  it. 

By  the  next  day  the  Messrs.  Andre  had  cleansed  the  coffin  plate 
sufficiently  to  be  able  to  read  distinctly  the  following  portion  of  the 
inscription : 

<<*  *  *  fyl  E  Anglois,  20  de  May  1790  Ans."  The  French  word 
Mai  was  spelled  in  old  style  with  a  y.  No  further  attention  was  there- 
fore paid  to  this  coffin,  and  the  search,  which  had  not  been  interrupted, 
continued. 

On  March  23  a  second  leaden  coffin  was  discovered,  with  a  plate 
easily  read,  bearing  the  words  "Richard  Hay,  esq.,  died  in  Paris  the 
29th  January,  1785." 

On  March  31  a  third  leaden  coffin  was  unearthed.  This,  like  the 
others,  was  of  a  shape  resembling  that  of  the  mummy  coffins,  a  form 
quite  common  then,  gradually  widening  from  the  feet  to  the  shoulders, 
with  a  round  projection  at  the  upper  end,  which  contained  the  head. 
It  was  much  superior  in  solidity  and  workmanship  to  the  others.     A 


62  Papers   and  Reports 

thorough  search  was  made,  but  no  inscription  plate  could  be  found. 
It  was  decided  to  open  this  coffin;  but  as  the  odors  were  almost  insup- 
portable in  the  unventilated  gallery,  the  examination  was  postponed 
until  a  connection  could  be  made  with  another  gallery,  so  as  to  admit  a 
current  of  air. 

On  April  7  the  coffin  was  opened  in  presence  of  Col.  Blanchard,  M. 
Weiss,  M.  Geninet,  superintendent  of  the  work,  the  foreman,  several 
workmen,  and  myself.  The  lid  was  so  firmly  soldered  that  it  was 
removed  with  considerable  difficulty.  There  was  a  strong  alcoholic 
odor,  but  the  alcohol  in  which  the  body  had  evidently  been  preserved 
had  in  great  part  evaporated,  doubtless  through  a  hole  made  in  the  lid 
by  a  pick,  as  hereinafter  described,  and  a  crack  in  the  edge  of  the  coffin 
near  the  foot  caused  by  the  pressure  of  the  earth  after  the  wooden  coffin 
had  rotted  away.  However,  the  earth  which  covered  these  holes  was 
hard  and  black,  having  evidently  become  indurated  by  the  action  of  the 
escaping  alcohol,  so  that  the  process  of  evaporation  had  doubtless  been 
exceedingly  slow.  The  body  was  covered  with  a  winding  sheet  and 
firmly  packed  with  hay  and  straw.  A  rough  measurement  indicated 
the  height  of  Paul  Jones.  Those  engaged  upon  the  work  had  been 
furnished  some  time  before  with  copies  of  the  Admiral's  Congressional 
medal  showing  his  bust  in  profile.  I  had  found  in  the  Paris  mint  the 
die  from  which  this  medal  was  made  and  had  had  a  number  of  copies 
struck  from  it.  Half  a  dozen  candles  were  placed  near  the  head  of  the 
coffin,  and  the  winding  sheet  was  removed  from  the  head  and  chest, 
exposing  the  face.  To  our  intense  surprise,  the  body  was  marvelously 
well  preserved,  all  the  flesh  remaining  intact,  very  slightly  shrunken, 
and  of  a  grayish  brown  or  tan  color.  The  surface  of  the  body  and  the 
linen  were  moist.  The  face  presented  quite  a  natural  appearance,  except 
that  the  cartilaginous  portion  of  the  nose  had  been  bent  over  toward 
the  right  side,  pressed  down,  and  disfigured  by  its  too  close  proximity 
to  the  lid  of  the  coffin.  Upon  placing  a  medal  near  the  face,  comparing 
the  other  features  and  recognizing  the  peculiar  characteristics — the 
broad  forehead,  contour  of  brow,  appearance  of  the  hair,  high  cheek 
bones,  prominently  arched  eye  orbits,  and  other  points  of  resemblance — 
we  instinctively  exclaimed,  ' '  Paul  Jones ! ' '  and  all  those  who  were 
gathered  about  the  coffin  removed  their  hats,  feeling  that  they  were 
standing  in  the  presence  of  the  illustrious  dead — the  object  of  the  long 
search. 

Two  theories  suggested  themselves  to  account  for  the  absence  of  an 
inscription  plate.  A  corpse  had  been  buried  immediately  on  top  of  the 
leaden  coffin,  the  middle  of  the  lid  of  which  had  been  pierced  as  if  by  a 
pick.  Surrounding  the  leaden  coffin  were  some  vestiges  of  a  coffin  of 
wood.  It  may  be  that  the  digger  of  the  upper  grave,  finding  that  his 
pick  had  struck  a  hard  substance,  had  applied  his  shovel,  and  in  removing 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  63 


the  decayed  remains  of  the  wooden  coffin  found  a  plate  and  carried  it 
off  as  a  relic,  or,  if  of  silver,  for  its  intrinsic  value.  Or,  as  the  death 
of  Paul  Jones  occurred  when  the  violence  of  the  French  Revolution  was 
at  its  height  and  the  streets  were  filled  with  idlers  and  excited  crowds  of 
workmen,  it  is  likely  that  no  engravers  could  be  found  at  work  to  pre- 
pare a  fitting  inscription  in  the  two  days  intervening  between  the  death 
and  burial.     The  latter  theory  seems  rather  more  plausible. 

For  the  purpose  of  submitting  the  body  to  a  thorough  scientific  exam- 
ination by  competent  experts  for  the  purpose  of  complete  identification, 
it  was  taken  quietly  at  night,  on  April  8,  to  the  Paris  School  of  Medi- 
cine (Ecole  de  Medecine)  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  well-known 
professors  of  anthropology,  Doctor  Capitan  and  Doctor  Papillault  and 
their  associates,  who  had  been  highly  recommended  as  the  most  accom- 
plished scientists  and  most  experienced  experts  that  could  be  selected 
for  a  service  of  this  kind.  I  of  course  knew  these  eminent  professors 
by  reputation,  but  I  had  never  met  them. 

While  the  professional  examinations  for  identifying  the  body  were 
taking  place,  directions  were  given  to  let  the  workmen  continue  the 
excavations  in  order  to  explore  the  rest  of  the  cemetery,  as  there  was  a 
small  portion  that  had  not  yet  been  reached.  On  April  11  a  fourth 
leaden  coffin  was  found  with  a  plate  bearing  the  inscription:  "Cygit 
Georges  Maidison,  Gentilhomme  Anglais  et  Secretaire  de  l'Ambassade 
de  Sa  Majeste  britannique  aupres  de  Sa  Majeste  tres  Chretienne — 
decede  a  Paris  le  27  Aout  1783 — age  de  36  ans." 

On  April  18  the  fifth  and  last  leaden  coffin  was  discovered.  It  was 
without  an  inscription  plate  and  of  unusual  length.  Upon  opening  it 
there  was  found  the  skeleton  of  a  man  considerably  over  6  feet  in 
height. 

In  excavating  the  cemetery  the  exploration  had  corroborated  the 
facts  inferred  from  the  hereinbefore-mentioned  report  indicating  that  the 
main  body  of  the  four  squares  divided  by  the  cross  walks  had  been 
reserved  for  burying  the  ordinary  dead  in  common  trenches,  and  that 
personages  important  enough  to  be  placed  in  leaden  coffins  were  buried 
in  separate  graves  near  the  walls.  The  Admiral's  coffin  was  found  in 
one  of  such  spots. 

All  the  coffins  except  the  one  containing  the  remains  of  the  Admiral 
were  left  undisturbed  in  the  places  where  they  had  been  discovered,  and, 
the  cemetery  having  been  fully  explored,  the  shafts  and  galleries  were 
refilled  and  the  property  restored.  There  had  been  excavated  80  feet  in 
length  of  shafts,  800  feet  of  galleries,  and  about  600  feet  of  soundings. 
The  excavated  earth  had  to  be  carted  to  a  distance  of  2  miles  to  find  a 
dumping  ground  and  afterwards  hauled  back.  In  refilling  the  galleries 
it  was  necessary  in  places  to  use  stones  and  blocks  of  indurated  clay  to 
give  proper  stability. 


64  Papers   and  Reports 


There  were  discovered  in  all  five  leaden  coffins  in  the  cemetery. 
Four  having  been  easily  identified,  reasoning  upon  the  principle  of  elim- 
ination led  to  the  conclusion  that  the  other  must  be  the  coffin  sought. 
However,  the  scientists  were  identifying  the  body  by  more  positive 
means. 

When  the  remains  arrived  at  the  School  of  Medicine  the  lid  of  the 
coffin,  which  had  been  replaced  and  the  edges  of  which  had  been  sealed 
with  a  coating  of  plaster,  was  again  removed  and  the  hay  and  straw 
surrounding  the  body  were  taken  out.  They  were  so  firmly  packed, 
evidently  to  prevent  injury  to  the  body  from  shocks  caused  by  the  roll- 
ing of  the  ship  upon  the  contemplated  transfer  by  sea,  that  in  removing 
them  pincers  had  to  be  used.  It  was  noticed  that  there  had  been  a  hole 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter  in  the  lid  of  the  coffin  just  over 
the  face,  and  that  it  had  been  closed  by  a  screw  and  soldered  over.  It 
is  supposed  that  the  alcohol  used  to  preserve  the  remains  had  been 
poured  in  through  this  aperture  after  the  coffin  had  been  closed.  This 
immersion  in  alcohol  was  doubtless  another  reason  why  no  uniform  or 
object  of  value  was  placed  in  the  coffin. 

In  order  not  to  disturb  the  body  or  change  in  any  way  its  position  in 
removing  it  from  the  coffin  a  vertical  cut  was  made  in  the  lead  at  each 
end,  which  enabled  the  sides  to  be  pressed  apart.  The  body  was  then 
carefully  placed  upon  a  large  dissecting  table.  Its  state  of  preservation 
was  such  that  it  bore  its  own  weight  in  handling  it.  The  remains,  with 
all  the  flesh  intact,  looked  like  the  anatomical  specimens  preserved  in 
jars  of  alcohol  such  as  one  sees  in  medical  museums.  It  was  learned 
that  a  century  ago  this  method  of  preserving  the  dead  was  frequently 
employed — that  the  bodies  of  Necker  and  his  wife,  buried  at  Coppet, 
in  Switzerland,  for  instance,  were  so  treated  and  are  still  perfectly 
preserved. 

The  joints  were  somewhat  flexible.  In  taking  the  right  hand  in  mine 
I  found  that  the  knuckle  joints  could  be  easily  bent. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  principal  persons  who  participated  in 
verifying  the  identification  of  the  body:  The  American  ambassador; 
Henry  Vignaud,  first  secretary  of  the  American  embassy,  commander 
of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  and  a  distinguished  writer;  John  K.  Gowdy, 
American  consul-general;  Col.  A.  Bailly-Blanchard,  second  secretary  of 
the  American  embassy,  ex-aid-de-camp  to  the  governor  of  Louisiana, 
officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  officer  of  public  instruction;  M.  Justin 
de  Selves,  prefect  of  the  Seine,  grand  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor; 
M.  Louis  Lepine,  prefect  of  police,  ex-governor-general  of  Algiers, 
grand  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor;  Dr.  J.  Capitan,  professor  in  the 
School  of  Anthropology,  member  of  the  committee  of  historic  and  scien- 
tific works  (ministry  of  public  instruction),  member  of  the  municipal 
commission  of  Old  Paris,  member  of  the  Society  of  Megalithic  Monu- 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  65 


ments,  member  of  a  number  of  foreign  scientific  societies,  ex-president 
of  the  Society  of  Anthropology  of  Paris,  officer  of  public  instruction, 
author  of  more  than  250  monographs,  memoirs,  etc.,  on  medical  and 
other  scientific  subjects;  Dr.  Georges  Papillault,  assistant  director  of  the 
laboratory  of  anthropology  in  the  School  for  Advanced  Studies,  pro- 
fessor in  the  School  of  Anthropology,  officer  or  member  of  several 
learned  societies  at  home  and  abroad,  and  author  of  numerous  scientific 
articles,  a  scientist  of  rare  experience  in  the  examination  and  identifica- 
tion of  human  bodies;  Dr.  George  Herve,  professor  in  the  School  of 
Anthropology,  ex-president  of  the  Society  of  Anthropology  of  Paris, 
and  author  of  many  monographs  and  volumes  on  this  subject;  Dr.  A. 
Javal,  physician  to  the  ministry  of  public  instruction,  laureate  of  the 
School  of  Medicine;  M.  J.  Pray,  chief  architect  of  the  prefecture  of 
police,  officer  of  public  instruction;  M.  Paul  Weiss,  engineer  of  the 
quarries  of  the  Seine,  doctor  of  laws. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  services  were  secured  of  Dr.  V.  Cornil, 
the  eminent  microscopist,  professor  of  pathologic  anatomy  of  the  Paris 
School  of  Medicine. 

The  above  scientists  were  not  employed  experts  ;  they  cheerfully  gave 
their  services  gratuitously,  purely  in  the  interest  of  science  and  as  an 
act  of  comity  between  two  friendly  nations  in  solving  an  important 
historical  problem. 

There  now  took  place  one  of  the  most  scientific,  painstaking,  and  con- 
scientious examinations  conceivable  for  the  purpose  of  verifying  beyond 
all  doubt  the  identification  of  the  body  submitted  for  this  purpose. 

The  official  and  professional  responsibility  of  those  engaged  in  the 
task,  their  disinterestedness,  and  the  fact  that  their  established  reputa- 
tions were  at  stake  gave  abundant  guarantee  that  the  labor  would  be 
faithfully  and  impartially  performed.  Twelve  American  or  French  per- 
sons officially  took  part  in  or  witnessed  the  work  of  identification,  and 
their  affirmative  verdict,  after  six  days  passed  in  the  application  of  every 
possible  test,  was  positive  and  unanimous  and  was  formally  certified  to 
under  the  official  seals  of  their  respective  departments,  as  will  be  seen 
from  their  reports  printed  in  the  appendix. 

The  remains  had  been  wrapped  in  a  winding  sheet  of  linen,  the  ends 
of  which  had  been  torn  off,  probably  to  make  it  fit  the  length  of  the 
body.  On  this  was  observed  a  small  figure  2  worked  in  thread.  Upon 
the  removal  of  the  sheet  there  was  found  upon  the  body  but  one  gar- 
ment, a  linen  shirt  of  very  fine  workmanship  with  plaits  and  ruffles, 
which  corresponds  with  the  Admiral's  fondness  for  dress.  "He  is  a 
master  of  the  arts  of  dress  and  personal  adornment,  and  it  is  a  common 
remark  *  *  *  that  he  never  fails  to  be  the  best  dressed  man  at  any 
dinner  or  fete  he  may  honor  by  attending. "  ( ' '  Anecdotes  of  the  Court 
of  Louis  XVI.")  The  long  hair,  measuring  about  thirty  inches  in 
7257—07 5 


66  Papers   and  Reports 


length,  had  been  carefully  dressed  and  gathered  into  a  linen  cap  at  the 
back  of  the  head.  On  this  was  found  a  small  initial  worked  in  thread. 
When  the  cap  was  right  side  up,  the  letter  was  a  "J,"  with  the  loop 
well  rounded;  when  reversed,  it  formed  a  "P."  A  careful  search  dis- 
closed no  other  article  in  the  coffin.  On  the  hands,  feet,  and  legs  were 
found  portions  of  tin  foil,  as  if  they  had  been  wrapped  with  it. 

Two  circumstances  combined  to  render  the  identification  of  the  re- 
mains comparatively  easy — the  remarkable  state  of  preservation  of  the 
body  due  to  the  alcohol  and  the  abundance  of  accurate  information  in 
existence  descriptive  of  the  dead. 

To  furnish  the  anthropologists  with  the  required  data  there  was 
obtained,  upon  personal  application,  permission  to  make  all  the  desired 
measurements  of  the  Houdon  bust  of  Paul  Jones,  a  little  more  than 
three-quarter  size,  owned  by  the  Marquis  de  Biron,  a  very  artistic,  work 
representing  the  Admiral  in  court  dress  with  the  hair  curled  in  rolls 
upon  the  temples.  These  rolls  were  identical  with  those  found  on  the 
body. 

There  was  procured,  through  the  courtesy  of  the  director  of  the  Tro- 
cadero  Museum,  a  copy  of  the  other  well-known  bust  of  Paul  Jones  by 
Houdon,  one  of  the  most  accurate  works  of  the  famous  sculptor,  who 
was  also  an  admirer  of  his  subject.  It  represents  him  in  the  uniform  of 
an  admiral,  and  was  found  more  useful  for  the  purpose  of  making  the 
comparative  measurements  on  account  of  its  being  life-size.  James 
Madison,  in  a  letter  dated  April  28,  1825,  says:  "His  bust  by  Houdon 
is  an  exact  likeness,  portraying  well  the  characteristic  features. ' '  Sher- 
burne, in  his  biography,  says:  "  His  bust  by  Houdon,  of  which  several 
copies  remain  in  this  country,  is  believed  to  be  the  best  representation 
of  his  features  ever  made."a  Besides  these  there  were  submitted  a 
copy  of  the  medal  given  by  Congress — showing  a  profile  of  the  face — 
and  a  mass  of  authentic  information  regarding  the  Admiral's  chief 
characteristics,  appearance,  size,  color  of  hair,  age,  etc. 

Doctor  Papillault,  with  his  delicate  instruments,  made  all  the  neces- 
sary anthropometric  measurements  of  the  head,  features,  length  of  body, 
etc. ,  and  found  them  so  entirely  exact  as  to  be  convinced  that  the  busts 
were  made  from  the  subject  before  him,  and  that  the  length  of  the  body, 
5  feet  7  inches,  was  the  same  as  the  height  of  the  Admiral.  All  of  the 
comparative   measurements  are  set  forth  in  detail  in  his  report,  the 

a  Mr.  Frank  D.  Millet  made  several  casts  from  the  Houdon  bust  of  John  Paul 
Jones  in  the  National  Academy  of  Design,  in  New  York  City,  and  sent  a  plaster  cast 
to  the  TrocadeVo  Museum,  in  Paris,  where  it  was  used  by  the  Anthropologists  in 
comparing  its  measurements  with  those  of  Paul  Jones's  recovered  body.  A  rumor 
gained  circulation  in  Paris  that  the  New  York  bust  was  a  copy  of  the  replica  in 
Philadelphia  and  the  bust  in  the  Trocade>o  Museum  was  often  spoken  of  as  the 
"Philadelphia  bust,"  which  accounts  for  its  having  been  thus  erroneously  desig- 
nated in  some  of  the  reports. — H.  P. 


J  o  h  71    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  67 


greatest  difference  between  any  of  them  being  only  2  millimeters,  about 
seven-hundredths  of  an  inch. 

As  said  before,  the  cartilaginous  portion  of  the  nose  had  been  bent 
over  to  the  right  side,  pressed  down,  and  distorted.  This  disfigurement 
was  clearly  due  to  the  fact  that  when  the  body  was  put  in  the  coffin  an 
excess  of  the  hay  and  straw  packing  had  been  placed  under  the  head 
and  across  the  face,  and  the  mass  of  hair  had  been  gathered  into  the 
linen  cap  at  the  back.  This  raised  the  face  so  high  that  the  nose  was 
pressed  upon  by  the  coffin  lid.  This  pressure  had  been  so  great  that 
the  head  itself  was  found  turned  a  little  to  the  right. 

Professor  Papillault  says  on  this  subject:  "The  bridge  of  the  nose  is 
rather  thin,  the  root  somewhat  narrow.  Seen  in  profile,  the  nose  is  of 
an  undulating  form  on  the  bust ;  now  this  form  depends  a  great  deal  on 
the  cartilage.  The  bony  part  of  the  nose  is  quite  compatible  with  it." 
The  professional  anthropologists  pay  little  attention  to  the  cartilages,  as 
these  are  liable  to  change,  and  confine  their  measurements  to  the  solid 
or  bony  structures. 

Professor  Capitan,  after  the  examinations,  had  a  photograph  made  of 
the  head,  but  at  the  angle  at  which  it  was  taken  the  disfigured  nose  is 
made  to  look  as  if  it  were  Roman  in  shape,  the  end  being  bent  over  and 
depressed,  and  in  consequence  giving  the  bridge  an  unnatural  prominence. 

The  expression  of  the  face  is  not  nearly  so  good  as  if  the  photograph 
had  been  taken  immediately  after  opening  the  coffin.  The  skin  had 
shrunk  and  the  lips  had  contracted  by  exposure  to  the  air  and  show  the 
edges  of  the  teeth,  which  were  not  visible  at  first.  This  gives  the  face 
a  rather  ghastly  appearance.  The  hair,  which  was  found  neatly  dressed, 
is  in  disorder  and  could  not  be  rearranged,  as  an  attempt  to  comb  it 
revealed  a  danger  of  pulling  it  out.  The  photograph  is  herein  repro- 
duced, and  is  interesting  for  the  reason  that  it  shows  the  well-preserved 
condition  of  the  flesh.  The  nose  presented  the  only  disfigurement. 
When  the  bust  was  placed  beside  the  body  the  resemblance  of  the  other 
features  was  remarkably  striking.  Professor  Herve  called  attention  to 
a  peculiar  shape  of  the  lobe  of  the  ear,  which  he  said  was,  according  to 
his  experience,  something  very  rarely  seen.  Its  exact  copy  was  observed 
upon  the  bust. 

The  hair  was  dark  brown,  slightly  streaked  with  gray  and  thin  above 
the  temples,  agreeing  fully  with  the  historical  descriptions.  The  teeth 
were  long  and  somewhat  worn.  The  appearance  of  both  hair  and  teeth 
was  compatible  with  the  Admiral's  age  at  the  time  of  his  death — 45 
years. 

Doctor  Papillault,  in  his  report  setting  forth  the  details  of  his  inves- 
tigations, remarks: 

The  dimensions  of  the  bust,  life-size,  by  Houdon,  are  exactly  those  of  the  body; 
the  comparison  is  therefore  easier  than  if  the  bust  had  been  of  a  reduced  size.  Thus 
all  the  measurements  offer  an  approximation  truly  extraordinary.     Two  experienced 


68  Papers  and  Reports 


anthropologists  measuring  the  same  subject  would  often  make  as  great  differences. 
Thus  I  could  not  hope  to  find  between  a  bust  and  its  model  a  similar  identity.  I 
recollect  having  measured,  some  years  ago,  a  cast  of  the  head  of  Blanqui,  and  the 
statue  which  Dalou  made  from  that  same  cast.  Dalou  was  a  very  precise  and  con- 
scientious artist,  using  and  even  abusing,  as  his  colleagues  said,  the  caliper  compass. 
I  found  differences  greater  than  in  this  case. 

He  concludes  his  report  in  the  following  words: 

Without  forgetting  that  doubt  is  the  first  quality  of  all  investigators  and  that  the 
most  extreme  circumspection  should  be  observed  in  such  matters,  I  am  obliged  to 
conclude  that  all  the  observations  which  I  have  been  able  to  make  plead  in  favor  of 
the  following  opinion:  The  body  examined  is  that  of  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones. 

Then  came  one  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  the  verification — 
the  autopsy,  doubtless  the  only  one  in  history  ever  made  upon  a  body 
that  had  been  buried  for  a  hundred  and  thirteen  years.  In  order  not 
to  alter  in  any  way  the  appearance  of  the  corpse,  Doctor  Capitan  and 
his  assistants  laid  the  body  upon  its  face  and  made  the  opening  in  the 
back  to  explore  the  thorax  and  the  viscera  contained  therein.  A  quan- 
tity of  alcohol  ran  out,  the  internal  organs  being  thoroughly  saturated 
with  it.  This  accounted  for  their  excellent  state  of  preservation.  The 
left  lung  showed  a  spot  which  was  clearly  the  result  of  an  attack  of 
pneumonia  or  broncho-pneumonia.  It  had  healed,  but  remained  sur- 
rounded by  fibrous  tissue.  Mr.  Buell,  in  his  "Paul  Jones"  (Vol.  II, 
p.  235),  says:  "During  this  inspection  [of  the  Russian  fleet],  which 
consumed  about  fifteen  days,  the  Admiral  contracted  a  heavy  cold, 
which  almost  the  very  day  of  his  return  to  St.  Petersburg  developed 
into  pneumonia.  *  *  *  Both  the  eminent  physicians  who  attended 
him  pronounced  his  lungs  permanently  affected  and  told  him  he  could 
never  hope  to  endure  again  the  rigors  of  a  Russian  winter. ' '  This  was 
in  June,  1789.  In  May,  1790,  two  years  before  the  Admiral's  death, 
he  returned  to  Paris.  The  same  author  says  of  him  (Vol.  II,  p.  267), 
1 '  The  doctors  declared  that  his  left  lung  was  more  or  less  permanently 
affected." 

Doctor  Capitan  and  Professor  Cornil  found  nothing  particularly  char- 
acteristic in  the  heart,  which  was  still  quite  flexible.  It  was  contracted, 
and  the  cardiac  walls  exhibited  muscular  fibers  striated  lengthwise  and 
crosswise.  An  abundance  of  small  crystals  and  bacteria  was  noticed. 
The  liver  was  of  a  yellowish-brown  color,  somewhat  contracted,  and  its 
tissues  were  rather  dense  and  compact.  There  were  found  in  the  hepatic 
cells  numerous  varieties  of  crystals  and  microbes.  The  masses  of  tyro- 
sin,  appearing  to  the  naked  eye  like  white  opaque  granules,  were  less 
numerous  than  in  the  lungs.  The  cells  of  this  organ  were  not  so  well 
preserved,  and  according  to  Doctor  Capitan  a  positive  opinion  could  not 
be  given  as  to  symptoms  caused  by  its  condition.  The  gall  bladder  was 
healthy  and  contained  a  pale  yellowish-brown  bile  of  a  pasty  consistency. 
The   stomach  was   contracted   and   very  small.     The   spleen  appeared 


70  Papers   and  Reports 


Benoit-Andre\  who  published  a  memoir  of  Paul  Jones  six  years  after 
his  death,  says:  "The  day  after  the  Admiral  had  been  at  supper  at  the 
Cafe  Timon  he  did  not  rise  until  nearly  noon.  His  lower  limbs  began 
to  swell  prodigiously,  his  stomach  soon  began  to  expand,  and  he  had 
much  difficulty  at  times  in  breathing;  all  the  time  afflicted  with  an 
exhausting  cough  and  much  raising  of  mucus." 

Colonel  Blackden's  letter  to  Mrs.  Janet  Taylor,  describing  the  drop- 
sical condition  of  the  patient,  has  already  been  quoted. 

The  official  certificate  of  burial  says  he  died  of  dropsy  of  the  chest 
( ' '  hydropisie  de  poitrine  "  ) . 

The  complete  verification  of  all  these  symptoms  by  means  of  an 
autopsy  made  upon  a  corpse  a  hundred  and  thirteen  years  after  death 
must  be  regarded  as  a  notable  triumph  of  anthropologic  science,  of  deep 
interest  to  the  medical  profession,  and  a  service  of  signal  importance  in 
the  present  instance. 

No  mark  of  a  wound  was  discovered  on  the  body.  Paul  Jones  was 
never  wounded.  History  is  in  abundant  possession  of  the  most  detailed 
records  of  every  fight  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  they  make  nowhere 
a  single  mention  of  his  ever  having  received  a  wound.  Buell  finds  no 
record  of  a  wound.  Sherburne,  in  his  well-known  ' '  L,ife  and  Character 
of  Paul  Jones,"  page  362,  says:  "Commodore  John  Paul  Jones  on  the 
ocean  during  the  American  Revolution  was  as  General  Washington  on 
the  land — never  known  to  be  defeated  in  battle,  and  neither  ever  receiv- 
ing a  wound."  Sherburne's  first  edition  was  published  while  Richard 
Dale  and  other  officers  who  had  served  with  Paul  Jones  were  still  living 
and  they  never  challenged  this  statement.  Sands,  in  his  "L,ife  and 
Correspondence  of  Paul  Jones, ' '  a  work  which  presents  a  strange  inter- 
mingling of  official  facts  and  uncorroborated  assertions,  says  that  it  was 
known,  as  he  was  assured,  that  the  Admiral  was  once  wounded  in  the 
head,  but  admits  further  on  that  "he  never  chronicled  his  wounds  in 
any  letter  or  journal."  The  same  writer  asserts  that  the  Admiral,  four 
months  before  his  death  in  1792,  wrote  a  draft  of  a  letter,  but  which  was 
never  sent,  addressed  to  the  French  minister  of  marine,  complaining 
that  his  predecessor  in  that  office,  M.  de  Sartine,  gave  him  (Jones)  and 
our  minister,  who  accompanied  him,  an  icy  reception,  saying:  "He  did 
not  say  to  me  a  single  word,  nor  ask  me  if  my  health  had  not  suffered 
from  my  wounds  and  the  uncommon  fatigue  I  had  undergone. ' '  Even 
if  the  Admiral  had  ever  made  such  a  draft  it  would  doubtless  have  been 
written,  according  to  his  custom,  in  French,  and  in  the  original  might 
very  well  have  meant  simply  that  the  minister  did  not  take  the  trouble 
to  ask  him  whether  his  health  had  suffered  from  wounds  and  fatigues, 
occurrences  which  might  naturally  be  supposed  to  have  happened  to  so 
combative  a  sailor ;  but  as  M.  de  Sartine  had  left  the  ministry  of  marine 
December  1,  1780,  more  than  eleven  years  before,  the  statement  does 
not  carry  any  weight. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  71 


The  detailed  technical  reports  of  the  scientists  were  filed  with  my 
former  communication  to  the  Government,  and  publicity  has  been  given 
to  them.  Their  reproduction  here  in  extenso  would  be  beyond  the  scope 
of  this  report,  so  that  I  have  confined  myself  to  making  the  above  most 
important  extracts  from  them,  giving  the  methods  employed  and  the  con- 
clusions reached.  After  the  autopsy  the  internal  organs  were  replaced 
in  the  thorax. 

Appended  to  this  article  are  copies  of  the  formal  documents,  executed 
under  seal,  containing  the  certifications  of  the  official  witnesses  to  the 
identification  of  the  remains.  I  said  to  them  all  that  if  there  existed  a 
single  doubt  in  the  mind  of  anyone  as  to  the  absolute  and  unquestioned 
identity  of  the  body  submitted  for  examination  I  begged  that  he  would 
frankly  make  it  known.  Not  a  doubt  was  entertained,  and  their  decision 
was  unanimous. 

It  was  now  seen  that  some  deterioration  of  the  body  was  taking  place 
from  exposure  to  the  air.  I  therefore  gave  instructions  to  the  experi- 
enced specialist  in  the  School  of  Medicine  to  take  every  precaution  to 
preserve  the  flesh  intact,  and  made  arrangements  to  replace  the  remains 
in  the  original  coffin,  and  incase  them  in  a  casket  which  could  be 
hermetically  sealed  and  prepared  for  transportation  to  America. 

A  leaden  casket  was  procured,  in  the  bottom  of  which  was  placed  a 
bed  of  sawdust  treated  with  phenol.  On  this  was  laid  the  lid  of  the 
original  coffin,  next  to  it  the  original  coffin,  in  the  bottom  of  which  the 
winding  sheet  had  been  placed.  On  the  top  of  the  winding  sheet  was 
spread  a  sheet  of  impermeable  oiled  silk  and  then  a  layer  of  cotton  bat- 
ting impregnated  with  phenic  glycerin.  The  body  was  treated  with 
a  coating  of  the  same  substance,  and  the  face  was  sprayed  with  the 
essence  of  thymol.  The  hair  was  gathered  into  the  small  linen  cap  in 
which  it  had  been  found.  The  body,  upon  which  the  shirt  had  been 
replaced,  was  then  put  into  the  original  coffin  and  laid  upon  the  cotton 
batting  above  mentioned,  after  which  another  layer  of  this  material, 
saturated  with  phenic  glycerin,  was  spread  over  the  body  and  covered 
with  a  second  sheet  of  oiled  silk.  The  whole  was  then  covered  and 
packed  with  medicated  cotton  batting.  There  were  also  placed  in  the 
original  coffin  a  glass  jar  containing  specimens  of  the  hay  and  straw 
which  had  been  used  in  packing  and  a  package  of  fragments  of  the 
indurated  earth  which  had  closed  the  hole  and  the  crack  in  the  original 
coffin.  The  lid  of  the  casket,  in  which  is  a  large  glass  plate,  was  then 
soldered  on  and  seals  of  the  American  embassy  affixed.  The  casket 
was  afterwards  placed  in  an  outer  coffin  of  oak  provided  with  8  silver 
handles,  the  lid  of  which  was  secured  by  16  silver  screws. 

On  April  20  this  coffin  was  taken  to  the  American  Church  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  Avenue  de  T  Alma,  accompanied  by  the  American  ambassa- 
dor; M.  Vignaud,   first  secretary  of  the  embassy;  Colonel  Blanchard, 


72  Papers   and  Reports 


second  secretary;  Mr.  Gowdy,  consul-general;  and  M.  Weiss,  engineer 
in  charge  of  the  excavations. 

The  coffin,  covered  with  the  American  flag,  was  placed  in  the  receiv- 
ing vault;  the  rector  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  Doctor  Morgan,  offered 
a  prayer,  and  the  remains  were  left  there  to  await  the  completion  of 
arrangements  for  their  transfer  to  the  United  States. 

For  several  years  a  search  had  been  pressed  to  find  the  house  in 
which  the  Admiral  died,  No.  42  Rue  de  Tournon.  There  had  been 
renumberings  of  the  dwellings  throughout  the  arrondissement,  and  it 
seemed  impossible  to  trace  them  with  sufficient  accuracy  to  locate  the 
house  in  which  Paul  Jones,  as  history  states,  occupied  an  ' '  apartment 
on  the  first  floor  above  the  entresol.' ■  This  furnished  another  instance 
of  the  mystery  which  pursued  his  memory.  It  was  not  until  the  first 
week  in  July,  1905,  that  the  place  was  found,  thanks  to  the  untiring 
and  important  assistance  rendered  by  M.  Taxil,  chief  surveyor  of  the 
city  of  Paris.  The  house  is  now  No.  19  of  that  street.  It  is  the  only 
one  in  the  immediate  localty  which  has  a  first  floor  over  an  entresol. 

The  style  of  the  ironwork  on  the  balcony  indicates  an  architecture  of 
the  period  of  the  close  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XV  or  the  beginning  of  that 
of  Louis  XVI.  The  street  leads  toward  the  entrance  to  the  Senate, 
palace  of  the  Luxembourg.  It  was  once  a  fashionable  street,  and  at  the 
present  time  several  persons  of  distinction  live  there.  On  the  ground 
floor  of  the  house  a  sign  bears  the  words  ' *  Lessons  in  fencing,  boxing, 
and  the  use  of  the  singlestick."  This  proffered  instruction  in  the  sev- 
eral arts  of  fighting  in  the  house  in  which  Paul  Jones  resided,  coupled 
with  the  fact  that  the  underground  station  close  to  the  cemetery  where 
his  body  reposed  is  called  "Combat,"  looks  as  if  fate  had  determined 
that  he  should  everywhere  be  identified  with  signs  of  conflict  and  strug- 
gle, whether  in  life  or  in  death. 

I  visited  this  house  for  the  first  time,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Blan- 
chard,  July  4,  1905.  Col.  A.  Bailly-Blanchard  was  my  second  secretary 
at  the  embassy,  and  it  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  make  conspicuous 
mention  of  his  services.  I  assigned  him  to  duty  as  my  principal  assist- 
ant, and  he  was  constantly  associated  with  me  throughout  the  entire 
period  of  the  researches.  His  rare  accomplishments  eminently  fitted 
him  for  the  service,  and  the  ability  and  zeal  displayed  by  him  entitled 
him  to  the  most  grateful  consideration. 

Upon  the  receipt  and  examination  of  my  detailed  reports,  the  Govern- 
ment recognized  the  completeness  of  the  identification  of  the  Admiral's 
body,  and  President  Roosevelt  ordered  a  squadron  of  war  vessels,  com- 
posed of  the  Brooklyn,  Tacoma,  Chattanooga,  and  Galveston,  commanded 
by  Admiral  Sigsbee,  to  proceed  to  Cherbourg  and  convey  the  remains 
of  Paul  Jones  to  the  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  where  they  are  to 
receive  permanent  interment  in  the  crypt  of  the  new  chapel  now  under 
construction. 


HOUSE  IN  PARIS  IN  WHICH  JOHN  PAUL  JONES  DIED. 

The  Admiral  died  in  his  apartment,  the  third  floor  front  of  the  building  at  the 
left,  No.  42  (now  No.  19),  Rue  de  Tournou. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  73 


In  the  meantime  I  had  consulted  with  the  President  of  France,  the 
minister  of  foreign  affairs,  president  of  the  council,  general  of  the  army, 
admiral  of  the  navy,  and  others,  as  to  what  part  the  French  desired  to 
take  in  the  ceremonies  attending  the  transfer  of  the  remains.  They  all 
manifested  an  enthusiastic  wish  to  pay  every  possible  honor  on  that 
occasion  to  the  memory  of  our  illustrious  sailor,  and  a  programme  was 
accordingly  arranged  which  would  best  carry  out  this  desire.  Admiral 
Fournier,  who  represented  the  naval  forces,  told  me  that  it  was  after 
reading  the  life  of  Paul  Jones  that  he  had  resolved  to  become  a  sailor. 
So  that  it  was  the  inspiration  of  our  great  sea  fighter  that  gave  to  France 
an  admiral  who  to-day  commands  the  admiration  of  naval  men  of  all 
countries. 

Our  squadron  was  heartily  welcomed  at  Cherbourg  by  a  French  fleet, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city  vying  with  the  officials  to  pay  every  possible 
attention  to  our  officers  and  men.  In  Paris  a  series  of  public  dinners 
and  receptions  were  tendered  them,  and  they  were  feted  in  a  manner 
rarely  seen  even  in  the  brilliant  and  hospitable  capital  of  France. 

On  July  6,  the  anniversary  of  Paul  Jones's  birth,  Admiral  Sigsbee 
brought  500  blue  jackets  to  Paris,  and  at  3.30  p.  m.  the  ceremonies 
attending  the  transfer  of  the  remains  began  in  the  beautiful  American 
Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Avenue  de  l'Alma. 

In  the  morning  I  had  had  the  coffin  brought  from  the  vault  into  the 
church,  placed  in  front  of  the  chancel,  and  covered  with  artistically 
arranged  flowers.  The  church  itself  was  tastefully  dressed  with  floral 
decorations.  The  audience  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  that  has 
ever  been  drawn  together  in  Paris.  The  President  of  the  Republic  was 
represented  by  the  chief  of  his  household,  who  occupied  a  chair  in  front 
of  the  chancel.  On  the  right  of  the  middle  aisle  were  seated  the  presi- 
dent of  the  council  and  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  the  leading  members 
of  the  cabinet,  and  the  highest  officers  of  the  French  army  and  navy; 
on  the  left  the  resident  American  ambassador,  the  two  special  ambas- 
sadors designated  for  the  occasion,  Admiral  Sigsbee  with  his  captains 
and  staff  officers,  Senator  Lodge,  and  the  members  of  the  diplomatic 
corps.  Seated  in  the  remaining  pews  and  standing  crowded  in  the  aisles 
and  doorways  were  distinguished  persons  from  many  countries.  The 
elaborate  uniforms,  the  exquisite  flowers,  the  brilliant  flags,  enhanced 
the  beauty  of  a  scene  which  it  is  seldom  one's  fortune  to  witness  and 
which  will  be  memorable  in  history. 

After  careful  consultation,  I  concluded  that  it  would  be  appropriate 
to  avoid  an  ordinary  funeral  service,  with  dirges  and  requiems,  as  the 
occasion  was  not  a  funeral,  but  rather  a  glorification  of  the  dead,  so  that 
anthems,  patriotic  airs,  and  marches  glorieuses  constituted  the  music. 
After  a  simple  but  most  impressive  service  had  been  conducted  by  the 


74  Papers  a,7id  Reports 


rector,  I  formally  delivered  the  remains  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  in  the  following  words: 

This  day  America  claims  her  illustrious  dead. 

In  the  performance  of  a  solemn  duty  I  have  the  honor  to  deliver  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  through  its  designated  representative,  the  remains  of 
Admiral  John  Paul  Jones,  to  be  borne  with  appropriate  marks  of  distinction  to  the 
country  upon  whose  arms  his  heroic  deeds  shed  so  much  luster.  It  is  believed  that 
their  permanent  interment  in  the  land  to  whose  independence  his  matchless  victories 
so  essentially  contributed  will  not  be  lacking  in  significance  by  reason  of  its  long1 
delay. 

It  is  a  matter  of  extreme  gratification  to  feel  that  the  body  of  this  intrepid  com- 
mander should  be  conveyed  across  the  sea  by  the  war  vessels  of  a  navy  to  whose 
sailors  his  name  is  still  an  inspiration,  and  that  this  high  mission  should  be  confided 
to  so  gallant  an  officer  of  the  same  noble  profession  as  the  distinguished  Admiral 
who  commands  the  escorting  squadron. 

An  earnest  expression  of  recognition  is  due  to  the  accomplished  savants  of  France, 
whose  acknowledged  skill  in  anthropologic  science  confirmed  in  every  particular, 
with  entire  accuracy  and  absolute  certainty,  the  identification  of  the  remains  which 
were  so  marvelously  preserved. 

We  owe  a  cordial  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  Government  of  the  French  Republic 
for  the  cheerful  proffer  of  facilities  during  the  search  for  the  body,  the  sympathy  so 
generously  manifested  upon  its  recovery,  and  the  signal  honors  rendered  upon  this 
occasion  to  the  memory  of  a  hero  who  once  covered  two  continents  with  his  renown 
in  battling  for  the  cherished  principles  of  political  liberty  and  the  rights  of  man, 
for  which  the  two  sister  Republics  have  both  so  strenuously  contended. 

All  that  is  mortal  of  this  illustrious  organizer  of  victory  on  the  sea  lies  in  yonder 
coffin  beneath  the  folds  of  our  national  standard.  When  Congress  adopted  the 
present  form  of  the  American  flag,  it  embodied  in  the  same  resolution  the  appoint- 
ment of  Capt.  John  Paul  Jones  to  command  the  ship  Ranger.  When  he  received 
the  news,  history  attributes  to  him  the  following  remark:  "The  flag  and  I  are  twins; 
born  the  same  hour,  from  the  same  womb  of  destiny.  We  can  not  be  parted  in  life 
or  in  death."  Alas!  they  were  parted  during  a  hundred  and  thirteen  years,  but 
happily  they  are  now  reunited. 

Mr.  Loomis,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State  and  junior  special  ambassa- 
dor, received  the  body,  making  an  interesting  address,  in  which  he  recited 
the  most  stirring  events  in  the  career  of  Paul  Jones,  and  expressed  the 
extreme  gratification  of  the  Government  upon  the  recovery  of  the  remains. 
He  finished  by  delivering  them  to  Admiral  Sigsbee  for  transportation  to 
the  United  States.  Admiral  Sigsbee,  in  accepting  the  high  mission  with 
which  he  had  been  charged,  delivered  a  brief,  appropriate,  and  eminently 
sailorlike  address,  which  was  warmly  received. 

Eight  American  blue  jackets  now  stepped  forward  and  bore  the  coffin 
solemnly  from  the  church.  They  had  been  selected  for  their  manly 
bearing  and  their  stature,  each  being  over  6  feet  in  height.  They 
commanded  the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  them,  and  the  Americans 
present  were  naturally  delighted  to  hear  the  whispered  comments  of  the 
French  ladies:   ' '  Quels  beaux  gar  cons  !  ' ' 

The  coffin  was  placed  upon  a  French  artillery  caisson  tastefully 
adorned  with  flags. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  75 


The  elaborate  procession,  which  took  up  its  march  at  5  o'clock,  was 
constituted  as  follows:  A  platoon  of  police,  a  regiment  of  French 
cuirassiers,  500  American  sailors,  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones,  borne 
upon  an  artillery  caisson,  Admiral  Sigsbee  and  staff,  the  American 
ambassadors  and  Senator  L,odge,  the  personnel  of  the  American  embassy, 
the  high  officials  of  the  French  Government  and  of  the  diplomatic 
corps,  delegations  from  the  American  Navy  League  and  from  the 
American  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  Paris,  members  of  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  other  patriotic 
organizations,  all  on  foot.  Then  came  two  batteries  of  French  horse 
artillery,  two  companies  of  American  marines,  and  two  battalions  of 
French  infantry  with  their  famous  bands. 

The  column  moved  down  the  brilliant  avenue  of  the  Champs  ISlysees 
and  across  the  Seine  by  the  stately  bridge  of  Alexander  III,  which  leads 
to  the  Invalides.  When  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones  was  seen  moving 
solemnly  toward  the  body  of  Napoleon,  each  having  died  in  a  distant 
land  to  be  brought  back  after  many  years  with  every  mark  of  honor  to 
the  country  he  had  so  eminently  served,  there  was  a  sentiment  aroused 
which  deeply  touched  the  hearts  of  all  participating  in  the  ceremony. 

When  the  wide  Esplanade  des  Invalides  was  reached,  the  coffin  was 
lifted  from  the  caisson  and  placed  upon  a  catafalque  erected  beneath  a  tent 
of  superb  construction,  the  material  being  a  rich  royal  purple  velvet, 
hung  with  gold  fringe,  the  front  ornamented  with  swords,  shields, 
cuirasses,  and  other  warlike  devices.  Here  the  troops  filed  by  the 
remains  and  rendered  the  highest  military  honors  to  the  illustrious  dead. 
The  coffin  was  then  borne  to  the  mortuary  car  prepared  for  it  in  the  rail- 
way station  close  by,  and  a  special  train  bore  it  to  Cherbourg  that  night 
with  its  guard  of  honor  composed  of  Americans  and  Frenchmen. 

Paris  had  that  day  witnessed  a  pageant  entirely  unique  in  its  way 
and  of  surpassing  beauty  and  solemnity.  The  weather  was  superb  and 
the  streets  and  houses  were  appropriately  decorated.  The  vast  crowds 
of  spectators  gazed  upon  the  cortege  with  sympathy  and  respect.  No 
cheers  or  other  inappropriate  demonstrations  were  indulged  in.  The 
onlookers  simply  uncovered  reverently  as  the  coffin  passed.  Their  bear- 
ing in  every  respect  was  admirable. 

The  next  day,  July  7,  I  went  to  Cherbourg  to  sail  for  home.  A 
cordial  invitation  had  been  received  from  the  Government  and  Admiral 
Sigsbee  to  take  passage  on  board  the  flagship.  While  this  was  deeply 
appreciated,  it  was  declined,  as  I  felt  that  it  would  be  in  better  taste  to 
return  by  the  ordinary  lines  of  travel,  now  that  I  had  formally  placed 
the  subject  of  the  mission  in  the  hands  of  the  Navy  and  could  render 
no  further  useful  service. 

The  fleets  of  the  two  nations  lay  side  by  side  in  that  picturesque  mili- 
tary harbor,  discharging  their  peaceful  and  sympathetic  mission,  our 


76  Papers  and  Reports 


phantom- colored  vessels  presenting  an  interesting  contrast  to  the  black 
hulls  of  the  French  war  ships.  There  I  took  a  last  look  at  the  coffin 
which  contained  all  that  is  mortal  of  the  hero,  the  search  for  whose 
remains  had  furnished  a  congenial  task  for  the  past  six  years.  Upon 
sailing  out  of  the  harbor  the  squadron  honored  me  with  a  parting 
ambassadorial  salute,  and  I  now  felt  that  my  mission  in  connection 
with  the  recovery  of  the  body  of  our  illustrious  naval  commander  was 
definitely  ended. 

Official  Certification  of  the  American  Embassy  and  Consulate  of  the  Identification 
of  the  body  of Admiral  fohn  Paul  Jones 

This  is  to  certify  that  we,  the  undersigned,  met  at  the  School  of  Medicine  (VEcole 
de  M£decine),  in  the  city  of  Paris,  at  10  o'clock  a.  m.  on  the  14th  day  of  April,  1905, 
for  the  purpose  of  verifying  the  identification  of  the  remains  recently  found  by  the 
American  ambassador  in  the  old  Saint  L,ouis  Cemetery  for  the  burial  of  foreign 
Protestants,  and  believed  to  be  those  of  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones. 

The  body  was  lying  on  a  table,  entirely  uncovered,  having  been  taken  from  the 
leaden  coffin  in  which  it  had  been  found,  and  from  which  the  linen  had  been 
removed  and  places  on  another  table. 

We  had  familiarized  ourselves  with  the  historical  information  regarding  the  age, 
size,  color  of  hair,  general  appearance,  manner  of  dress,  etc.,  of  John  Paul  Jones, 
and  there  were  placed  near  the  body  the  medal  presented  to  him  by  Congress  to 
commemorate  his  battle  with  the  Serapis,  showing  his  head  in  profile,  and  a  copy  of 
the  well-known  bust  made  from  life  by  Houdon,  which  had  been  loaned  for  the 
purpose  by  the  Trocadero  Museum.  The  remains  were  those  of  a  man,  and  were 
remarkably  well  preserved  by  having  evidently  been  immersed  in  alcohol.  The 
flesh  seemed  firm  and  the  joints  were  somewhat  flexible.  There  were  bits  of  tin 
foil  adhering  to  the  hands,  feet,  and  other  parts  of  the  body,  as  if  they  had  been 
wrapped  with  it.  The  body  was  lying  on  its  back ,  the  hands  were  crossed  over  the 
abdomen,  the  left  hand  resting  on  the  right.  It  was  of  a  grayish  brown  or,  rather, 
a  tan  color.  The  right  eyelid  was  closed,  the  other  was  slightly  open.  The  features 
presented  quite  a  natural  appearance,  except  that  the  cartilaginous  portion  of  the 
nose  was  bent  over  to  the  right  and  pressed  down  as  if  by  the  too  close  proximity 
of  the  lid  of  the  coffin,  or  by  the  excess  of  the  hay  and  straw  in  packing  the  body. 
Several  fine  oblique  lines  were  traceable  upon  the  face,  made  by  the  folds  of  the 
winding  sheet,  which  had  left  upon  the  skin  an  imprint  of  the  texture  of  the  fabric. 
The  lips  were  a  very  little  shrunken  or  contracted,  exposing  the  extreme  ends  of  the 
teeth.  This  slight  contraction  did  not  exist  when  the  coffin  was  opened,  and  seemed 
to  have  been  caused  by  exposure  to  the  air. 

Doctor  Papillault,  professor  of  anthropology  in  the  School  of  Anthropology,  one 
of  the  scientists  who  had  been  highly  recommended  and  selected  to  aid  in  the  work 
of  identifying  the  body  on  account  of  his  valuable  experience  in  such  examinations, 
explained  to  us  the  methods  he  had  adopted  and  showed  us  the  elaborate  compara- 
tive measurements  he  had  made  of  all  the  important  features  of  the  body  and  of  the 
Houdon  bust.  The  agreement  was  singularly  exact  in  every  important  particular, 
as  will  be  shown  in  his  report,  which  he  read  in  our  presence,  explaining  the  details 
as  he  proceeded.  The  principal  results  were  as  follows:  The  word  "identical"  will 
be  used  to  signify  that  the  agreement  between  the  corresponding  dimensions  of  the 
body  and  of  the  Houdon  bust  is  exact,  and  that  the  appearance  conforms  strictly  to 
the  authentic  historical  description  of  the  Admiral. 

Length  of  body,  5  feet  7^  inches.  Height  of  Paul  Jones  was  5  feet  7  inches. 
The  three-eighths  is  the  difference  allowed  by  anthropologists  between  a  person 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  77 


standing  and  the  same  person  lying  down.  "Was  5  feet  7  inches  tall,  slender  in 
build,  of  exquisitely  symmetrical  form,  with  noticeably  perfect  development  of 
limbs. "     (."  Anecdotes  of  the  Court  of  Louis  XVI. ' ' )     Identical. 

Principal  features  of  face  and  head.     Identical. 

No  beard.  Identical.  Face  presented  appearance  of  one  who  had  not  shaved  for 
several  days. 

Hair  very  dark  brown,  generally  speaking,  might  be  called  black.  The  front  hair 
upon  opening  the  coffin  was  found  to  be  of  an  unnatural  tan  color,  like  the  flesh, 
evidently  discolored  by  the  presence  of  the  alcohol  and  straw.  After  taking  some 
hair  from  the  back  of  the  head,  where  it  had  been  protected  by  being  gathered  into 
a  linen  bag,  and  washing  it  its  color  was  dark  brown  or  black.  "He  was  of  the 
complexion  usually  united  with  dark  hair  and  eyes,  which  were  his."  ("Memoirs 
of  Paul  Jones,"  Edinburgh  edition.)  "His  hair  and  eyebrows  are  black."  ("Anec- 
dotes of  the  Court  of  Louis  XVI.")  See  specimen  of  hair  accompanying  this  report. 
Identical. 

The  hair  in  a  few  places  was  slightly  tinged  with  gray.  This  fact,  together  with 
the  condition  of  the  teeth,  indicates  a  person  between  40  and  50  years  old.  John 
Paul  Jones  was  45  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Doctor  Capitan,  professor  of  historic  anthropology  in  the  School  of  Anthropology, 
vice-president  of  the  commission  on  megalithic  monuments,  member  of  the  committee 
on  historical  and  scientific  works,  and  of  the  Society  of  Old  Paris,  etc.,  then  explained 
the  course  pursued  by  him  in  the  identification  and  the  autopsy  effected  by  opening 
the  back  and  removing  and  examining  the  internal  organs,  so  singularly  preserved, 
and  gave  convincing  evidence  that  the  deceased  had  died  of  the  disease  which  ter- 
minated the  life  of  John  Paul  Jones.  (See  Doctor  Capitan's  report.)  In  1790  "the 
doctors  declared  that  his  left  lung  was  more  or  less  permanently  affected."  (Buell's 
"History  of  Paul  Jones.")  "  He  died  of  dropsy  of  the  chest."  (Official  certificate 
of  burial.)  "For  two  months  past  he  began  to  lose  his  appetite,  grew  yellow,  and 
showed  symptoms  of  jaundice."  "A  few  days  before  his  death  his  legs  began  to 
swell,  which  proceeded  upward  to  his  body,  so  that  for  two  days  before  his  decease 
he  could  not  button  his  waistcoat  and  had  great  difficulty  in  breathing."  (Letter  of 
Colonel  Blackden.) 

The  linen  taken  from  the  coffin,  all  in  exceedingly  good  condition,  except  stained 
in  places  a  tan  color,  was  then  minutely  examined.  It  consisted  of  a  shirt  of  fine 
linen,  handsomely  made,  with  plaits  and  ruffles  corresponding  with  the  historical 
description  of  the  Admiral's  fondness  for  dress.  "He  is  a  master  of  the  arts  of  dress 
and  personal  adornment,  and  it  is  a  common  remark  that  notwithstanding  the  fru- 
gality of  his  means  he  never  fails  to  be  the  best  dressed  man  at  any  dinner  or  fete 
he  may  honor  by  attending. "  ( ' 'Anecdotes  of  the  Court  of  Louis  XVI. ' ' )  "  To  his 
dress  he  was,  or  at  least  latterly  became,  so  attentive  as  to  have  it  remarked." 
("Memoirs  of  Paul  Jones,"  Edinburgh  edition.)     Identical. 

A  sheet  on  which  was  worked  with  thread  the  figure  2.  A  linen  bag  or  cap  neatly 
made,  which  had  been  found  at  the  back  of  the  head  and  into  which  the  hair  had 
been  gathered.  Upon  this  was  a  small  initial  worked  with  thread.  When  the  bag 
was  held  right  side  up,  the  letter  was  a  "J,"  with  the  loop  nearly  closed.  When 
held  in  a  reverse  position,  it  was  a  "P."  If  a  "J,"  it  would  be  the  initial  of  Jones, 
the  name  which  he  added  to  his  family  name.  If  a  "  P,"  it  would  be  the  initial  of 
his  original  family  name,  Paul.  It  may  be  remarked  that  then,  as  now,  the  French 
often  marked  their  linen  with  the  initial  of  their  Christian  name.  In  Paris  the 
Admiral  was  sometimes  familiarly  addressed  as  "Mon  Paul"  and  "Monsieur  Paul." 
He  often  signed  his  name  Paul  Jones,  and  sometimes  J.  Paul  Jones,  as  shown  by  his 
correspondence. 

There  were  no  other  articles  in  the  coffin,  except  the  hay  and  straw  with  which  the 
body  had  been  carefully  packed,  and  no  inscription  plate  had  been  found.     Taking 


78  Papers  and  Reports 


into  careful  consideration  the  convincing  proofs  of  identification  of  the  body  by 
means  of  the  measurements,  the  autopsy,  etc.,  the  marks  upon  the  linen,  the  fact 
that  the  coffin  was  found  in  the  cemetery  in  which  it  was  proved  to  have  been  buried, 
that  it  was  superior  in  solidity  and  workmanship  to  the  others,  that  the  body  had 
been  carefully  preserved  and  packed  as  if  to  prepare  it  for  a  long  voyage,  "  that,  in 
case  the  United  States,  which  he  had  so  essentially  served  and  with  so  much  honor, 
should  claim  his  remains,  they  might  be  more  easily  removed"  (Letter  of  Colonel 
Blackden,  the  Admiral's  intimate  friend,  witness  of  his  will,  and  pallbearer  at  his 
funeral,  addressed  to  the  eldest  sister  of  Paul  Jones,  Mrs.  Janet  Taylor),  and  the 
further  fact  that  in  exploring  the  cemetery  there  was  every  evidence  that  the  graves 
of  the  dead  had  never  been  disturbed;  that  only  five  leaden  coffins  were  found,  four 
of  which  were  easily  identified,  three  of  them  having  inscription  plates,  giving  dates 
and  names  of  the  deceased,  and  the  fourth  containing  a  skeleton  measuring  about 
six  feet  two  inches  in  length,  we  regard  the  identification  as  completely  verified  in 
every  particular  and  are  fully  convinced  that  the  body  discovered  is  that  of  Admiral 
John  Paul  Jones. 

(Signed)  Horace  Porter, 

[SEAiv  of  the  American  embassy  at  paris.]  American  Ambassador. 

(Signed)  Henry  Vignaud, 

Secretary  American  Embassy. 

(Signed)  John  K.  Gowdy, 

U.  S.  Consul-General. 

(Signed)  A.  Bah,i,y-BIvAnchard, 

Second  Secretary  American  Embassy. 

[SEAL  OE  THE   AMERICAN   CONSULATE  AT  PARIS.] 


Translation  of  the  Official  Certification  of  the  Participants  and  Witnesses 

At  the  request  of  his  excellency,  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  American  ambassador,  grand 
cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  recipient  of  the  Congressional  medal  of  honor,  I,  Justin 
de  Selves,  prefect  of  the  Seine,  grand  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  and  I,  Louis 
Lepine,  prefect  of  police,  grand  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  went  on  Friday,  the 
14th  day  of  April,  1905,  at  10  a.  m.,  to  the  School  of  Medicine,  where  a  leaden  coffin 
was  deposited  containing  the  presumed  remains  of  John  Paul  Jones. 

The  said  coffin  was  discovered  in  the  former  cemetery  for  foreign  Protestants  under 
the  conditions  stated  in  the  report  drawn  up  by  the  service  des  carrieres  (quarries) 
of  the  Department  of  the  Seine  and  annexed  to  the  present  certificate.  It  was  trans- 
ported to  the  School  of  Medicine  through  the  care  of  M.  G6ninet,  a  municipal 
superintendent  of  public  works,  on  Saturday,  April  8,  1905. 

In  our  presence  and  in  the  presence  of  the  ambassador  of  the  United  States  and  in 
that  of  the  following  persons:  Mr.  Henry  Vignaud,  first  secretary  of  the  embassy  of  the 
United  States,  commander  of  the  Legion  of  Honor;  Col.  A.  Bailly-Blanchard,  late 
aid-de-camp  to  the  governor  of  Louisiana,  second  secretary  of  the  embassy  of  the 
United  States,  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor,  officer  of  public  instruction,  etc.;  John 
K.  Gowdy,  consul-general  of  the  United  States;  Doctor  Capitan,  professor  of  the 
School  of  Anthropology,  member  of  the  committee  of  historic  and  scientific  works 
(ministry  of  public  education),  member  of  the  municipal  commission  of  Old  Paris, 
late  president  of  the  Society  of  Anthropology  of  Paris,  etc.;  Dr.  G.  Papillault,  assist- 
ant director  of  the  laboratory  of  anthropology  of  the  Ecole  des  Hautes  Etudes,  pro- 
fessor in  the  School  of  Anthropology;  Doctor  Herve\  doctor  of  medicine,  professor 
in  the  School  of  Anthropology;  Dr.  A.  J  aval,  doctor  of  medicine,  physician  of  the 
ministry  of  the  interior,  laureate  of  the  School  of  Medicine;  Mr.  J.  Pray,  architect  in 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  79 


chief  of  the  prefecture  of  police,  officer  of  public  education;  M.  Paul  Weiss,  mining 
engineer,  inspector  of  the  quarries  of  the  Seine,  doctor  of  laws,  the  examination  of  the 
coffin  and  body  was  proceeded  with.  General  Porter,  Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard,  and 
Mr.  Weiss  declared  that  they  recognized  the  coffin  and  the  body  as  being  those  found 
in  the  former  cemetery  for  foreign  Protestants  and  transmitted  to  the  School  of 
Medicine  for  the  purpose  of  identification. 

Doctor  Papillault  read  a  detailed  report  and  concluded  that  the  body  was  that  of 
John  Paul  Jones. 

By  the  side  of  the  body  were  placed  the  bust  of  the  Admiral  by  Houdon,  a  plaster 
cast,  loaned  by  the  Museum  of  the  TrocadeVo,  of  the  original  bust  in  the  Academy  of 
Fine  Arts  at  Philadelphia, «  also  the  medal  signed  Duprd,  which  was  struck  in  honor 
of  Paul  Jones  by  order  of  Congress  to  commemorate  his  famous  battle  with  the 
Serapis  and  the  Scarborough,  which  enabled  one  to  verify  the  perfect  resemblance 
existing  between  the  reproduction  of  the  features  of  the  Admiral  and  the  corpse. 

The  shirt  and  winding  sheet  in  which  the  body  was  wrapped  were  likewise  exam- 
ined. On  the  cap  which  contained  his  hair  those  present  noted  the  existence  of  an 
initial  which  in  one  direction  is  a  capital  "p"  and  in  a  contrary  direction  a  "J," 
both  letters  constituting  the  initials  of  the  Admiral. 

After  these  various  examinations  Doctor  Capitan  read  his  report  upon  the  result  of 
the  autopsy  which  he  had  made  upon  the  corpse  and  which  revealed  the  symptoms 
of  the  disease  of  which  it  is  known  the  Admiral  died.  Doctor  Capitan  and  Doctor 
Papillault  were  both  in  accord  in  affirming  as  a  scientific  truth  the  identity  of  the 
deceased. 

In  view  of  the  perfect  coincidence  of  all  the  facts  relating  to  the  burial  and  of  the 
agreement  of  all  the  physical  measurements,  those  present  were  unanimous  in  rec- 
ognizing the  body  as  being  that  of  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones. 

Consequently,  the  body  was  replaced  in  the  leaden  coffin  in  which  it  was  discov- 
ered, to  be  ultimately  inclosed  in  a  new  triple  coffin  of  pine,  lead,  and  oak,  sealed  and 
transferred  to  the  vault  of  the  American  church  in  the  Avenue  de  l'Alma. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  drawn  up  and  signed  with  all  those  in  attendance  the 
present  certificate  in  triplicate,  one  of  which  will  be  sent  through  his  excellency  the 
minister  of  foreign  affairs  to  his  excellency  the  American  ambassador  for  delivery  to 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  and  the  two  others  filed  in  the  archives  of  the 
prefecture  of  the  Seine  and  the  prefecture  of  police. 

Thus  done  and  signed  at  Paris,  the  nineteenth  day  of  May,  1905. 

(Signed)  J.  DE  SELVES. 

(Signed)  Louis  Lepine. 

(Signed)  Horace  Porter 

(Signed)  Henry  Vignaud. 

(Signed)  A.  Baieey-B^anchard. 

(Signed)  John  K.  Gowdy. 

(Signed)  J.  Capitan. 

(Signed)  Dr.  G.  PapieeaueT. 

(Signed)  Geo.  Herve. 

(Signed)  A.  Javae. 

(Signed)  J.  Pray. 

(Signed)  Paue  Weiss. 

[SEAE   OF  THE   MUNICIPALITY   OP   PARIS.] 

«*  See  footnote,  p.  66. 


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REPORT  OF  DOCTOR  CAPITAN 

[Translation  of  report  on  autopsy.] 

THE  7th  of  April,  1905,  having  been  informed  by  Mr.  Vallet,  super- 
intendent of  mines,  by  order  of  the  engineer,  Mr.  Weiss,  of  the 
discovery  in  the  explorations  in  Grange-aux- Belles  street,  No.  43, 
of  a  new  leaden  coffin  appearing  to  contain  a  corpse  well  preserved,  I 
recommended  that  it  should  be  immediately  covered  with  plaster. 

The  next  day,  April  8,  I  went  to  the  place,  and  ascertaining  that  it 
was  impossible  in  the  gallery  of  the  excavations  to  study  the  corpse, 
together  with  Mr.  Weiss  I  had  the  necessary  measures  taken  for  the 
removing  and  transporting  of  the  coffin  and  the  corpse  to  the  Medical 
School  of  Practice  of  the  Faculty  of  Medicine. 

Thanks  first  to  the  extreme  kindness  of  Mr.  Lepine,  prefect  of  police, 
whom  I  saw  during  the  day  and  to  whom  I  explained  the  facts,  thanks 
also  to  the  kind  cooperation  of  Doctor  Rieffel,  chief  of  the  anatomical 
service  of  the  School  of  Medicine,  and  of  Mr.  Himbert,  superintendent 
of  material,  the  coffin  was  removed  the  same  evening,  in  entire  secrecy, 
to  the  School  of  Practice,  where  the  next  morning  it  was  opened. 

My  colleague,  Doctor  Papillault,  whom  I  had  requested  to  be  good 
enough  to  take  charge  of  the  anatomical  descriptive  branch  and  of  the 
measurements,  questions  for  which  he  has  a  very  great  capacity,  made  a 
very  careful  study  of  the  corpse  and  drew  up  the  report  which  has  been 
read  already. 

I  will  therefore  confine  myself  solely  to  my  personal  observations 
relating  either  to  the  pathological  anatomy  of  the  subject  or  to  the  various 
manipulations  to  which  the  corpse  had  been  submitted,  and  which  we 
can  verify,  thanks  to  the  traces  that  have  been  left  upon  the  corpse. 

I  must  say  also  that  at  various  times  we  have  exchanged  ideas,  Doctor 
Papillault  and  I,  and  that  we  have  always  been  of  the  same  opinion, 
namely,  an  accumulation  of  proofs,  all  leading,  often  by  very  different 
ways,  to  this  conclusion:  That  there  can  be  here  no  other  corpse  in 
question  but  that  of  Paul  Jones. 

The  following  observations  will  show  some  of  the  proofs  which  I  have 
gathered  on  the  subject: 

The  opening  of  the  coffin  took  place  April  9.  I  will  not  dwell  upon 
the  particulars,  either  as  to  the  care  exercised  in  putting  it  in  the  coffin 
[the  packing  by  means  of  straw  and  hay]  or  of  the  clothing  [winding 
sheet,  shirt,  and  cap],  having  specially  to  concern  myself  with  the 
anatomical  branch. 

7257—07 6  81 


82  Papers  and  Reports 


The  consistency  of  the  tissues,  their  aspect,  even  their  special  odor 
(recalling  the  old  anatomical  specimens  preserved  in  alcohol)  enables 
one  to  affirm  quite  surely  that  the  subject  was  preserved  in  alcohol  or 
an  aromatic  alcoholic  liquid  without  its  having  been  subjected  to  any 
other  preparation,  for  it  presents  no  traces  of  any  incision  having  served 
to  inject  any  liquid  whatever  in  the  veins,  according  to  the  present 
process  of  embalming.  Besides,  as  we  shall  see  later  on,  the  viscera  are 
intact.  We  can  thus  determine  the  particularly  careful  means  employed 
in  the  preparation  of  the  corpse  and  agreeing  fully  with  the  idea  which 
the  friend  of  Paul  Jones  had  at  the  time  of  his  death  to  preserve  it  as 
long  as  possible,  so  as  to  be  able  to  transport  it  in  perfect  security  to 
America  when  the  moment  should  arrive. 

In  the  first  place,  the  corpse  had  been  probably  completely,  and  at  all 
events  surely  over  the  hands  and  feet,  covered  with  tin  foil,  carefully 
applied  upon  the  tissues.  We  found  it  there.  It  is,  besides,  a  process 
still  in  use  at  the  present  day. 

Once  clothed  in  its  shirt  and  wrapped  in  its  winding  sheet,  the  corpse 
was  placed  in  a  solid  leaden  coffin;  then  the  empty  spaces  were  carefully 
stuffed  with  hay  and  straw,  probably  rendered  aromatic.  The  whole 
must  have  been  immersed  in  alcohol  or  an  alcoholic  mixture  and  the 
lid  soldered,  which  could  be  easily  done  by  soldering  the  edges  of  the  lid 
turned  over  and  hammered  down.  A  small  orifice  of  about  2  centimeters 
diameter  had  been  made  at  the  top  of  the  lid,  over  the  head.  It  might 
have  served,  also,  to  introduce  alcohol,  or  at  least  to  complete  the  supply 
introduced  and  to  admit  of  the  escape  of  air  or  gas  after  or  at  the  time 
of  closing  the  coffin.  This  small  orifice  was  closed  with  solder  at  the 
time  of  burial. 

Under  those  conditions  and  according  to  the  information  which  had 
been  furnished  by  the  employees  of  the  amphitheater,  accustomed  to 
prepare  corpses,  a  slow  saturation  takes  place — of  the  muscles  first,  then 
of  the  viscera  themselves,  which  causes  their  perfect  preservation. 

The  teguments,  in  fact,  of  a  brownish  gray,  had  retained  their  flexi- 
bility. They  were  notably  contracted.  The  muscles  were  of  a  brownish 
gray  also,  strongly  saturated  with  the  preserving  liquid.  They  had  the 
odor  of  anatomic  specimens  long  preserved  in  alcohol.  The  tendons 
and  aponeuroses  had  retained  all  their  solidity,  and  the  subject  could 
be  lifted  up  bodily. 

Tuesday,  April  11,  my  friend  Mr.  Monpillard,  the  very  distinguished 
and  very  well-known  microphotographer,  was  kind  enough  to  take  the 
very  fine  photographs  of  the  subject,  full  size,  and  the  head,  annexed  to 
this  report.     They  give  very  accurately  the  appearance  of  the  corpse. 

It  was  indispensable  afterwards  to  make  the  autopsy.  I  did  this  on 
April  13.  In  order  not  to  alter  in  any  way  the  appearance  of  the  corpse, 
I  made  the  autopsy  by  opening  the  back. 


John    Paul  Jones    C o  mm  e  m  o  r  a  ti  o  ?i  83 


Upon  opening  the  thorax  I  was  greatly  astonished  to  find  the  viscera 
much  contracted,  but  very  well  preserved.  The  lungs  presented  some 
adhesions  to  the  pleural  walls,  especially  in  the  upper  lobe.  When  cut 
open,  they  show  a  brownish  parenchyma.  Upon  the  surface  and  in  the 
interior  of  the  pulmonary  tissue  there  exist,  especially  at  the  level  of 
the  diaphragmatic  edge  of  the  lower  lobe,  small  white  hard  masses, 
varying  in  volume  from  a  grain  of  canary  seed  to  a  diameter  of  from  3 
to  4  millimeters,  and  having  the  appearance  of  calcified  tubercles.  But 
in  view  of  the  existence  of  concretions  of  an  analogous  appearance  at 
the  surface  of  the  teguments  of  the  lower  limbs,  this  diagnosis  can  not 
be  sustained.  Besides,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  annexed  report  of  Pro- 
fessor Cornil,  it  is  a  question  of  a  mass  of  tyrosin. 

The  heart,  small,  contracted,  the  color  of  dead  leaves,  has  its  valves 
absolutely  normal  and  still  perfectly  flexible;  the  walls  of  the  two  ven- 
tricles measure  5  to  6  millimeters  in  thickness.  There  is  no  hypertrophy 
of  the  left  ventricle.  On  the  surface  of  the  right  auricle  there  were 
observed  some  flat  concretions  sous-endocardiques  and  recalling  the 
appearance  of  those  of  the  lungs. 

The  liver  was  of  a  yellowish  brown.  When  cut  open,  it  presented  a 
tissue  rather  dense  and  compact,  from  which  escaped  the  preserving 
liquid,  with  which  it  was  deeply  saturated.  It  was  also  rather  contracted. 
The  gall  bladder  was  healthy  and  contained  a  pale  yellowish  brown 
bile,  of  a  pasty  consistency. 

The  stomach  was  very  small  and  contracted.  The  spleen  appeared 
comparatively  more  voluminous  than  it  ought  to  have  been,  considering 
the  marked  contraction  of  all  the  viscera.  It  measured  from  6  to  7 
centimeters  upon  its  greater  axis.     Its  tissue  appeared  rather  firm. 

The  two  kidneys,  on  the  contrary,  small,  hard,  and  contracted, 
appeared  more  reduced  still  in  volume  than  they  should  have  been. 

The  intestines  were  completely  contracted  and  empty. 

Considering  the  alteration  of  the  appearance  of  the  head,  which  always 
results  from  the  removal  of  the  brain,  I  thought  that  there  was  no  need 
to  remove  this  viscus.  Previous  observations  had,  besides,  shown  me 
that  the  liquid  on  the  outside  could  not  penetrate  the  brain,  which  cer- 
tainly must  have  been  completely  deteriorated. 

Not  wishing,  out  of  respect  to  the  distinguished  personality  of  the  sub- 
ject, to  retain  the  viscera,  I  had  them  carefully  replaced  in  the  thorax, 
after  having  removed  several  small  fragments  intended  for  microscopic 
examination,  which  Professor  Cornil,  professor  of  pathological  anatomy 
of  the  faculty  of  medicine  of  Paris,  was  good  enough  to  make  in  person 
with  his  great  ability.  But  before  giving  the  result  of  this  examination, 
the  impression  derived  from  this  autopsy  was,  first,  the  astonishing 
preservation  of  the  viscera,  which  had  enabled  one  to  make  so  very 
clear  an  autopsy  one  hundred  and  thirteen  years  after  the  death  of  the 
subject.     Furthermore,  it  seemed  evident  that  one  had  to  deal  with  the 


84  Papers  and  Reports 

organs  of  a  patient  rather  pronouncedly  consumptive,  with  viscera  ema- 
ciated and  contracted.  Thus  the  kidneys,  on  a  simple  microscopical 
examination,  had  the  appearance  of  kidneys  affected  by  interstitial 
nephritis. 

Besides,  the  microscopic  examination,  of  which  we  can  see  a  full 
account  in  the  report  hereto  annexed  of  Professor  Cornil,  well  corrob- 
orates these  first  verifications. 

I  have  been  able  to  recognize  very  clearly  on  the  fine  microscopic 
preparations  executed  by  Professor  Cornil  in  person,  and  which  he  has 
been  good  enough  to  show  to  me,  the  following  various  peculiarities: 

The  heart  is  normal,  with  streaks  of  some  muscular  fibers  still  very 
clearly  visible. 

The  liver  seems  likewise  normal,  with  its  anatomical  disposition  very 
clear.  The  cells  of  this  organ  were  badly  preserved.  It  was  therefore 
not  possible  to  see  whether  there  had  been  such  cellular  lesions,  more  or 
less  grave,  as  accompany  the  acute  liver  troubles  analogous  to  symptoms 
of  jaundice  which  Paul  Jones  presented  at  the  end  of  his  life. 

The  lungs  contain  in  sufficiently  large  number  these  white  granula- 
tions, which  seem  to  have,  under  the  microscope,  the  appearance  of 
masses  formed  by  a  felting  of  fine  needles  of  tyrosin  (product  of  the 
decomposition  of  azotized  substances).  This  particularly  curious  cir- 
cumstance may  be  due  to  the  fact  (if  it  is  admitted  that  the  corpse  had 
simply  been  immersed  in  alcohol)  that  before  the  alcohol  could  have 
penetrated  all  the  viscera  there  took  place  a  beginning  of  decomposition 
which  brought  on  the  production  of  these  crystals. 

The  microbes  are  equally  abundant  upon  the  sections  of  the  lung. 
They  are  the  ordinary  microbes  of  putrefaction,  in  the  form  of  round 
grains  and  small  sticks.  Professor  Cornil  tried  in  vain  to  discover  the 
tuberculous  bacilli. 

Besides,  the  only  lesions  that  one  could  locate  were  small  rounded 
masses,  hard  and  at  times  calcified  in  the  lungs,  which  correspond  to 
small  patches  of  broncho-pneumonia  partially  cicatrized.  This  fact 
agrees  well  with  what  we  know  of  the  disease  of  Paul  Jones,  who,  after 
his  sojourn  in  Russia,  coughed  a  great  deal  and  to  such  an  extent  that 
he  could  not  speak  at  the  session  of  the  National  Assembly  where  he 
was  received. 

As  to  the  kidneys,  the  sections  presented  the  appearance,  very  clearly, 
of  chronic  interstitial  nephritis. 

The  vessels  at  several  points  had  their  walls  thickened  and  invaded 
by  sclerosis.  A  number  of  glomeruli a  were  completely  transformed 
into  fibrous  tissue  and  appeared  in  the  form  of  small  spheres,  strongly 
colored  by  the  microscopic  reactions.     This  verification  was  of  the  highest 

a  These  glomeruli  are  rounded  masses  of  vessels  surrounded  by  a  capsule  and 
are  where  the  most  important  part  of  the  urinary  secretion  takes  place* — H.  P. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  85 


importance.  It  gave  the  key  to  the  various  pathological  symptoms  pre- 
sented by  Paul  Jones  at  the  close  of  life — emaciation  and  consumptive 
condition,  and  especially  a  considerable  swelling,  which  from  the  feet 
gained  completely  the  nether  limbs,  then  the  abdomen,  where  it  even 
produced  ascites  (exsudat  intra-abdominal).  All  these  affections  are 
often  observed  at  the  close  of  chronic  interstitial  nephritis.*  It  can 
therefore  be  said  that  we  possess  microscopic  proof  that  Paul  Jones 
died  of  a  chronic  renal  affection,  of  which  he  had  shown  symptoms 
toward  the  close  of  his  life. 

In  a  word,  like  my  colleague  Papillault,  and  by  different  means,  rely- 
ing solely  upon  the  appearance  of  the  subject,  on  the  comparison  of  his 
head  with  the  Houdon  bust,  and  besides  considering  that  the  observa- 
tions made  upon  his  viscera  absolutely  agree  with  his  clinical  history,  I 
reach  this  very  clear  and  well-grounded  conclusion,  namely,  that  the 
corpse  of  which  we  have  made  a  study  is  that  of  Paul  Jones. 

I  will  even  add,  always  with  Papillault,  that,  being  given  this  con- 
vergence of  exceedingly  numerous,  very  diversified,  and  always  agree- 
ing facts,  it  would  be  necessary  to  have  a  concurrence  of  circumstances 
absolutely  exceptional  and  improbable  in  order  that  the  corpse  here 
concerned  be  not  that  of  Paul  Jones. 

In  closing  I  may  be  permitted  to  express,  always  with  my  colleague 
Papillault,  the  extreme  satisfaction  that  we  have  had  in  bringing  to  the 
solution  of  this  important  problem  that  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  ambassador 
of  the  United  States,  assisted  by  Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard,  secretary  of 
the  American  embassy,  has  pursued  with  such  remarkable  and  intelligent 
perseverance,  the  cooperation  of  our  special  qualifications,  thanks  to 
which  the  identification  of  the  great  American  Admiral  has  been  realized, 
when,  without  these  means  of  investigation,  it  would  have  been  impos- 
sible to  arrive  at  the  knowledge  that  at  last  the  corpse  of  Paul  Jones  has 
been  discovered,  and  that  thus  the  honors  which  he  has  awaited  for 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  years  might  at  last  be  rendered  him  by  his 
country. 

J.   CapiTan, 
Professor  in  the  School  of  Ayithropology, 
Member  of  the  Municipal  Commission  of  Old  Paris. 


NAVAL  ACADEMY  MINIATURE  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
Presented  to  I^ieut.  A.  B.  Piukham,  U.  S.  N.,  by  Miss  Janette  Taylor,  niece  of  John  Paul  Jones. 


NAVAL  ACADEMY  MINIATURE  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
[Reverse.] 


REPORT  OF  DOCTOR  PAPILLAULT 

[Translation.] 

I.— FIRST  EXAMINATION  OF  THE  BODY 

A  FTER  very  long  researches,  General  Porter,  believing  he  had  found 
/  \  the  remains  of  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones,  had  them  conveyed  to 
JL  ±-  the  faculty  of  medicine,  where  a  first  examination  was  made  on 
April  9,  1905.  There  were  present:  Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard,  secretary 
of  the  embassy  of  the  United  States;  M.  Weiss,  engineer  of  mines; 
Doctor  Capitan,  professor  of  the  School  of  Anthropology,  member  of  the 
Commission  of  Old  Paris;  Doctor  Papillault,  the  undersigned,  assistant 
director  of  the  laboratory  of  anthropology  at  the  feole  des  Hautes 
Etudes,  professor  in  the  School  of  Anthropology  at  Paris. 

The  body  was  laid  out  at  full  length  in  a  leaden  coffin.  Some  hay 
and  straw  were  packed  in  all  the  interstices  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
render  the  corpse  completely  immovable  in  its  coffin,  as  though  it  were 
destined  to  be  subsequently  transported  a  long  distance.  A  special  odor 
led  one  to  suppose  that  the  body  was  immersed  in  alcohol.  It  was 
wrapped  in  a  sheet  torn  at  the  two  extremities  to  reduce  it  to  the  size  of 
the  body. 

The  subject  was  of  the  masculine  sex.  It  was  not  clothed  and  bore 
no  insignia,  neither  arms  nor  jewelry,  which  is  easily  explained  if  the 
foregoing  hypothesis  is  admitted  that  the  body,  destined  to  be  trans- 
ported, had  been  carefully  packed  so  as  to  render  it  immovable,  but  one 
could  not  think  of  dressing  it  and  packing  it  afterwards  with  straw. 
It  is  probable  that  arms  and  clothing  were  to  have  been  put  on  him 
later  on. 

A  fine  shirt,  neatly  made,  constituted  his  sole  garment.  The  back 
was  closely  stuck  to  the  winding  sheet  with  matter  from  the  body  and 
perhaps  from  substances  employed  in  the  embalming. 

The  hair  was  gathered  into  a  cap  of  coarse  linen.  It  had  been  combed 
with  care,  in  the  fashion  of  the  times,  from  the  forehead  toward  the 
back,  curled  in  rolls  over  the  ears.  At  the  back  it  was  brought  together 
in  one  mass,  slightly  twisted  and  falling  naturally.  Its  length  was 
remarkable;  it  attained  75  to  80  centimeters. 

The  beard  was  shaven,  leaving  only  a  few  days'  growth. 

The  body  was  perfectly  preserved.  The  skin  was  tanned;  all  the 
soft  parts  were  mummified,  but  were  not  yet  completely  dried.  The 
tissues  presented  a  certain  elasticity  on  being  pressed. 

87 


88  Papers  and  Reports 


The  subject  was  laid  on  its  back,  the  head  turned  to  the  right.  The 
nose  was  pressed  down  in  its  cartilaginous  parts.  The  hands  were 
folded  across  the  abdomen.     The  feet  were  forcibly  extended. 

After  the  first  examination  the  removal  of  the  body  was  proceeded 
with.  After  having  cut  the  coffin  at  its  two  extremities  researches  were 
immediately  commenced  to  identify  the  subject. 

II.— RESEARCHES  TENDING  TO  IDENTIFY  THE  CORPSE 

Documents  of  various  kinds  placed  at  our  disposal  and  capable  of  being 
utilized: 

i .  Historical  documents  upon  the  probable  place  of  burial  which  Gen- 
eral Porter  followed  with  so  much  sagacity. 

2.  Documents  concerning  the  disease  of  which  John  Paul  Jones  died 
and  which  my  eminent  colleague,  Doctor  Capitan,  utilized  in  his 
researches  with  his  well-known  ability. 

3.  Documents  concerning  the  physical  characteristics  of  the  Admiral 
and  which  came  from  two  entirely  different  sources: 

(a)  Certain  details  related  in  memoirs  of  the  time,  which  Colonel 
Bailly-Blanchard  was  good  enough  to  communicate  to  me; 

(£)  Two  busts  attributed  to  Houdon.  I  will  review  them  successively 
and  compare  them  with  the  characteristics  which  could  be  discerned 
upon  the  body. 

A.    WRITTEN   DOCUMENTS 

i .  Jones  was  about  45  years  of  age  when  he  died. 

The  features  could  furnish  no  information.  The  beard  is  strong,  and 
appeared  to  belong  to  a  man  who  had  passed  his  youth.  The  hair, 
well  washed,  showed  a  few  white  hairs;  the  subject  had  thus  evi- 
dently attained  maturity.  The  state  of  his  incisor  teeth  confirmed  this 
approximation. 

2.  Jones  was  of  a  dark  complexion. 

The  hair  of  the  subject  was  dark.  The  hair  on  the  body  was  some- 
what more  red,  as  the  case  generally  is,  but  belonged  to  a  dark  subject. 

3.  Stature  was  1.70  meters. 

It  is  probable  that  this  is  an  approximative  measure,  and  it  is,  besides, 
known  that  the  stature  varies  more  than  a  centimeter  according  to  very 
diverse  circumstances  in  the  same  day. 

The  long  sickness  which  carried  off  Paul  Jones  undoubtedly  caused  a 
settling  down  and  diminished  his  stature.  The  bottom  of  his  coffin  not 
being  absolutely  flat,  his  stature  on  this  account  underwent  a  further 
slight  diminution. 

On  the  other  hand,  his  stature  of  1.70  meters  was  surely  taken  stand- 
ing. Now  the  corpse  was  lying,  and  its  length  increases  in  this  position 
an  average  of  1  to  2  centimeters. 

Finally,  the  feet  being  forcibly  extended,  I  had  to  take  the  distance 
comprised  between  the  vertex  and  the  inner  ankle  bone  and  add  8,  ceuti- 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  89 


meters,  representing  the  rest  of  the  stature — that  is  to  say,  the  length 
which  separates  the  point  of  the  ankle  bone  from  the  sole  of  the  foot — 
according  to  an  average  of  100  corpses  hitherto  measured  by  me. 

Altogether  I  found  1.71  meters,  a  figure  which  enters  absolutely  into 
the  quantities  that  one  might  expect  to  encounter. 

To  summarize:  The  written  data  and  my  observations  made  upon  the 
body  compared  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner.  The  question  in  point  was 
that  of  a  man  having  attained  maturity,  with  brown  hair,  with  a  stature 
of  about  1.70  meters  taken  in  a  standing  position  and  about  1.71  meters 
in  a  lying  one. 

B.    BUSTS    BY   HOUDON 

These  busts  are  two  in  number.  One  belongs  to  the  Marquis  de 
Biron,  the  other  to  the  museum  at  Philadelphia.0  A  replica  of  the 
latter  exists  in  the  Museum  of  Casts  of  the  Trocadero. 

These  two  works,  attributed  to  the  great  sculptor,  appear  to  me  to  be 
of  the  same  person.  But  they  present,  for  various  reasons,  some  consid- 
erable differences,  which  I  am  obliged  to  pass  rapidly  in  review. 

They  were  surely  made  at  times  between  which  there  was  a  rather 
long  interval.  The  Paris  bust  has  a  thinner,  more  emaciated  figure  than 
the  Philadelphia  one. 

The  modeling  and  the  study  given  to  it  by  the  sculptor  are  likewise 
different.  The  Philadelphia0  work  represents  the  person  in  the  attire  of 
an  admiral.  The  energetic  face,  the  authoritative,  even  dominating,  aspect, 
all  recall  the' conqueror  of  the  English  fleets,  the  redoubtable  privateer, 
whose  indomitable  courage  sufficed  for  everything.  But  above  all,  one 
feels  that  the  artist  desired  to  be  faithful;  the  modeling  is  life-like  and 
precise;  the  skin  vibrates  in  the  light;  the  least  wrinkle  is  studied.  It  is  a 
portrait  full  of  life  and  assuredly  resembling. 

On  the  contrary,  in  the  terra-cotta  bust  of  the  Marquis  de  Biron  the 
rough  sailor  has  become  a  man  of  the  court.  His  hair  is  no  longer  flat- 
tened down,  but  is  combed  with  care  and  curled  in  elegant  rolls.  Hou- 
don  attenuated  the  energy  of  his  features;  he  diminished  the  robustness  of 
the  face,  effaced  the  bumps  of  his  forehead,  and  his  touch,  indifferent  to 
truth*,  no  longer  made  life  throb  beneath  the  infinitely  varied  modeling 
of  the  surface.  It  is  a  sketch  full  of  grace  and  animation,  but  somewhat 
conventional.  The  artist  wished  to  flatter  the  mania  of  the  person  who 
became  ' '  so  elegant  in  his  dress  as  to  have  it  remarked. ' ' 

We  will  simply  make  our  comparisons  with  the  Philadelphia  bust,  after 
having  noted,  nevertheless,  that  the  arrangement  of  the  hair  on  the 
corpse  is  exactly  the  same  as  that  observed  on  the  bust  of  the  Marquis 
de  Biron.* 

«  See  footnote,  p.  66. 

b  The  Trocadero  bust  is  life  size.  The  de  Biron  bust  is  three-quarters  size. — Com- 
piler. 


90  Papers   and  Reports 


A  preliminary  remark  is  here  necessary.  One  can  not  expect  to  find 
in  a  work  of  art  shapes  exactly  identical  with  the  subject  that  has  served 
as  the  model.  The  plaster  represents  living  tissues  swollen  by  the  blood 
which  animated  them;  we  had  nothing  to  compare  therewith  but  a 
skeleton  covered  with  a  tanned  skin  and  shrunken  tissues.  The  bony 
structure  itself  is  not  always  respected;  the  artist  rarely  takes  many 
measures.  Once  the  main  points  taken  up,  he  lays  the  compass  aside, 
and  somewhat  neglects  proportions  and  applies  himself  to  seizing  the 
expression  of  the  features. 

But  nevertheless  no  resemblance  can  be  obtained  without  the  general 
form  being  respected;  the  fancies  of  the  artist  are  thus  confined  within 
limits  beyond  which  one  can  not  pass  with  impunity.  Moreover,  certain 
proportions  are  quite  expressive.  No  resemblance  is  obtained  if  rela- 
tions are  not  maintained  of  the  forehead,  the  nose,  the  upper  lip,  the 
chin,  etc.;  they  can  not  be  altered  without  the  character  of  the  face 
losing  at  the  same  time  its  personality.  The  experienced  eye  of  a  great 
artist  thus  imposes,  for  certain  prominent  proportions,  quite  narrow 
limits  to  any  wanderings  of  the  sculptor's  chisel. 

Finally,  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  variations  of  the  human  face 
and  of  its  divers  parts  are  enormous.  For  a  head  of  a  given  size  each 
of  the  parts  of  the  face  can  vary  about  one- third.  If,  then,  we  do  not 
find  either  in  the  descriptive  characteristics  which  we  are  about  to  pass 
in  review,  or  in  the  dimensions  which  we  have  taken  up,  any  consider- 
able differences  between  the  bust  and  the  body;  if  these  characteristics 
show,  on  the  contrary,  a  constant  analogy,  we  can  proclaim  the  identity 
of  the  two  with  the  more  likelihood  as  the  number  of  our  observations 
shall  be  the  greater. 

The  comparisons  I  have  been  able  to  make  are  of  two  kinds — 
one  bearing  upon  descriptive  characteristics,  the  other  upon  measure- 
ments. 

C.    DESCRIPTIVE   CHARACTERISTICS 

I  have  not  been  able  to  take  up  any  characteristics  the  divergence  of 
which  was  sufficiently  marked  to  waive  the  identification  of  the  bust 
and  the  body.     On  the  contrary  I  note  the  following  similarities: 

The  implanting  of  the  hair  is  the  same.  The  temples  are  exposed 
by  a  beginning  of  baldness. 

The  forehead  is  rather  straight,  the  skull  rounded,  with  pronounced 
frontal  bumps.  The  superciliary  arches  are  somewhat  prominent,  but 
the  space  between  the  eyebrows  (the  globella),  on  the  contrary,  is  very 
little  so. 

The  cheek  bones  are  prominent  and  massive. 

The  root  of  the  nose  does  not  recede  behind  the  frontal  plane,  as  is 
often  the  case.  The  bridge  of  the  nose  is  rather  thin,  the  root  some- 
what narrow. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


9i 


Seen  in  profile,  the  nose  is  of  an  undulating  form  on  the  bust.  Now 
this  form  depends  a  great  deal  on  the  cartilage.  The  bony  part  of  the 
nose,  however,  is  quite  compatible  with  it. 

The  prognathism  of  the  face  is  feeble;  that  of  the  upper  lip  equally 
so ;  but  the  chin  is  so  little  prominent  that  the  projection  of  the  jaws  is 
remarkable.     The  chin  itself  is  solid,  neither  bifid  nor  pointed. 

The  softer  parts — eyes,  mouth,  lobes  of  the  nose,  etc. — are  too  much 
deformed  for  me  to  make  a  useful  comparison.  By  an  excess  of  pru- 
dence I  will  not  even  insist  upon  a  very  peculiar  characteristic  of  the 
cartilage  of  the  ear  pointed  out  to  me  by  Professor  Georges  Herve,  and 
which  seemed  entirely  identical  on  the  bust  and  on  the  body.  However, 
I  will  add  one  remark :  ordinarily  there  exists  between  the  face  and  the 
cranium  a  harmony  which  led  me  to  suppose,  on  seeing  the  engraving  of 
the  bust  long  before  any  examination  of  the  body,  still  in  its  coffin,  that 
the  head  had  a  tendency  toward  brachycephaly.  I  had  pointed  this  out 
to  Doctor  Capitan,  and  I  found  a  cephalic  index  of  82.6  ;  consequently 
there  was  moderate  brachycephaly. 

D.  MEASUREMENT 


length  of  face  from  root  of  hair  to  chin 

length  from  root  of  hair  to  subnasal  point . 

length  from  subnasal  point  to  chin 

Length  of  upper  lip  a 

Length  of  lower  lip  b  and  of  chin 

Minimum  width  of  forehead 


Bust. 


cm. 

19-5 
12.7 

7-5 
2.4 
4.6 
10.4 


Body. 


cm. 

19-5 
12.9 
7-4 
2.5 
4.6 
10.2 


a  Taken  on  the  body  from  the  subnasal  point  to  the  edge  of  the  superior  incisors. 
b  Taken  on  the  body  from  the  edge  of  the  inferior  incisors  to  the  end  of  the  chin. 

The  foregoing  measurements  are  the  only  ones  I  was  able  to  take  with 
any  certainty  on  the  body  and  on  the  bust  simultaneously.  The  bizy- 
gomatic  width,  so  interesting  to  anthropologists,  could  not  be  taken  on 
the  bust  on  account  of  the  hair  which  masks  that  region.  The  width  of 
the  cheek  bones,  frequently  taken  by  artists,  had  no  value  whatever  on 
the  body,  the  tissues  of  which  had  shrunk  and  presented  dimensions 
which  are  too  weak. 

The  length  of  the  nose  was  likewise  not  comparable;  a  long,  well- 
accentuated  crease  on  the  bust  between  the  eyebrows  does  not  admit  of 
determining  the  beginning  of  the  nose  in  a  sufficiently  approximate 
manner.  There  remain,  then,  only  the  measures  to  the  number  of  six, 
which  I  set  forth  in  the  above  table. 

It  is  to  be  remarked,  first,  that  the  dimensions  of  the  bust  are 
exactly  those  of  the  corpse;  the  comparison  is  therefore  easier  than  if 
the  bust  had  been  of  a  reduced  size.  Thus  all  the  measurements  offer  an 
approximation  really  extraordinary.     Two  experienced  anthropologists 


92  Papers   and  Reports 


measuring  a  same  subject  would  often  make  as  great  differences.  Thus 
I  could  not  hope  to  find  between  a  bust  and  its  model  a  similar  identity. 
I  recollect  having  measured,  some  years  ago,  a  cast  of  the  head  of 
Blanqui  and  the  statue  which  Dalou  made  from  this  same  cast.  Dalou 
was  a  very  precise  and  conscientious  artist,  using  and  even  abusing,  as 
his  colleagues  said,  the  compass.  I  found  differences  greater  than  those 
in  this  case. 

Is  it  possible  to  admit  of  so  extraordinary  a  coincidence,  that  of  a 
subject,  buried  in  the  same  place,  having  a  high  social  position,  of  a 
stature  very  much  the  same,  of  nearly  the  same  age,  color  of  hair  iden- 
tical, and  representing  the  features  of  the  face  with  resemblance  enough 
to  admit  of  the  above  comparisons  we  have  made,  and  presenting,  finally, 
the  same  proportions  of  the  face?  If  the  number  of  subjects  compared 
included  several  millions,  perhaps  the  probability  of  such  a  coincidence 
might  be  admitted ;  but  here  it  is  a  question  of  a  very  limited  number  of 
individuals  interred  in  the  same  place.  Now,  of  one  hundred  bodies 
taken  by  chance,  I  have  found  less  than  ten  the  stature  of  which  could 
answer  to  that  of  John  Paul  Jones.  With  the  variations  of  2  centime- 
ters there  remained  no  more  than  three  of  a  dark  color.  Of  these,  no 
dimensions  of  the  face  coincided.  By  this  sole  example  one  can  figure 
the  amount  of  coincidences  that  would  have  to  be  put  together  to  bring 
about  the  identity  of  the  numerous  characteristics  taken  into  considera- 
tion as  above. 

Finally,  it  must  be  further  admitted  that  chance,  after  having  chosen 
among  the  thousands  an  individual  purposely  made  to  deceive  the  experts, 
would  have  had  to  make  him  die  of  a  malady  destined  to  deceive 
Doctor  Capitan  in  his  autopsy,  and  then,  as  a  last  stratagem,  to  have 
marked  the  cap  which  contained  his  hair  with  an  initial  which  in 
one  direction  is  a  capital  P  with  a  small  loop,  and  looked  at  in  contrary 
direction  a  J,  the  loop  of  which  is  closed,  both  letters  constituting  the 
initials  of  the  Admiral. 

Will  it  not  appear  to  any  impartial  reader  that  chance  would  have  put 
itself  to  very  great  trouble  in  bringing  to  the  same  point  so  many  coinci- 
dences, when  it  was  so  simple  to  lay  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones  where  he 
should  be?  It  is  for  this  reason,  without  forgetting  that  doubt  is  the  first 
quality  of  all  investigators,  and  that  the  most  extreme  circumspection 
should  be  observed  in  such  a  matter,  that  I  am  obliged  to  conclude  that 
all  the  observations  which  I  have  been  able  to  make  plead  in  favor  of 
the  following  opinion:  The  body  examined  is  that  of  Admiral  John 
Paul  Jones. 

Done  at  Paris,  April  14,  1905. 

Dr.  G.  Papillaui/t, 
Assistant  Director  of  the  Laboratory  of  Anthropology 

of  the  A cole  des  H antes  Etudes, 
Professor  at  the  School  of  Anthropology \  3  Quai  Malaquais. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 
From  engraving  by  Henri  Toussaint,  1906. 


REPORT  OF  PROFESSOR  CORNIL 

[Translation.] 

THE  organs  examined  by  me,  the  lungs,  the  heart,  the  liver,  the 
kidneys,  were  well  enough  preserved  to  be  easily  recognized  by 
the  naked  eye  and  under  the  microscope.  Their  structure  was  pre- 
served; their  fibrous  structure  and  their  general  disposition,  seen  slightly 
magnified,  clearly  characterized  each  of  these  viscera;  but  with  a  higher 
magnifying  power  (from  200  to  500  diameters),  the  cellular  elements 
were  badly  preserved,  the  nuclei  were  badly  or  not  at  all  colored.  The 
thin  sections  {coupes)  were  encumbered  with  salts,  leucine,  tyrosin, 
crystals  of  fat,  etc.,  and  bacteria.  We  conclude  therefrom,  viewing  the 
matter  from  the  state  of  preservation  of  the  body,  that  it  had  been  placed 
in  alcohol  a  day  or  two  after  death  had  ensued,  or  that  the  alcohol  had 
not  been  in  sufficient  quantity  to  penetrate  all  the  parts  and  that  a  partial 
decomposition  had  taken  place  in  the  deeply  seated  organs,  the  cells 
of  which  had  been  incompletely  acted  upon.  It  may  be  also  that  the 
alcohol  had  been  spilt  and  had  escaped  before  the  action  was  complete. 
It  is  this  which  accounts  for  the  presence  of  bacteria  and  salts  and  for 
the  bad  preservation  of  the  cells.  With  these  remarks  we  give  the  result 
of  our  analysis  for  each  particular  organ. 

Leftju?ig. — On  the  surface  of  the  lungs  were  whitish  and  opaque 
granules,  from  the  size  of  a  millet  seed  to  a  hemp  seed.  We  cut  thin 
sections  of  the  lung  surface  comprising  several  of  these  granules.  They 
were  located  in  the  pleura  and  in  the  lung  itself.  The  fibrous  structure 
of  the  pleura  and  the  alveoli  were  perfectly  preserved.  The  granules 
themselves  were  surrounded  by  the  pleuropulmonary  tissues  which 
formed  an  envelope  around  them.  They  were  composed  entirely  of 
voluminous  clusters  of  fine  crystals,  acidulated  with  tyrosin,  perfectly 
characteristic,  in  brush  form  and  very  long.  These  crystals  resisted 
the  action  of  acetic  acid  and  even  nitric  acid  diluted  with  water.  My 
attention  was  attracted  in  this  lung  to  a  small  grayish  spot  in  the 
center  and  surrounded  by  a  thick  fibrous  envelope.  Upon  the  section 
the  central  part  presented  pulmonary  alveoli  distended  by  small  round 
cells  and  an  agglomeration  of  tyrosin  crystals. 

I  treated  several  of  these  preparations  with  Ziehl's  coloring  matter  to 
search  for  the  bacilli  of  tuberculosis.  There  were  none.  It  was  simply 
a  former  pneumonia  or  broncho-pneumonia  spot  healed  and  surrounded 
by  a  fibrous  tissue. 

93 


94  Papers  and  Reports 


The  heart. — The  heart,  which  was  small  on  account  of  being  con- 
tracted by  the  alcohol,  showed  no  lesions  of  the  orifice.  The  aorta 
exhibited  no  signs  of  atheromatosis.  Microscopic  sections  of  the  cardiac 
walls  showed  muscular  fibers,  streaked  lengthwise  and  crosswise,  sepa- 
rated by  the  normal  conjunctive  tissues.  A  like  abundance  of  small 
crystals  and  bacteria  were  noticed. 

The  liver. — Sections  of  this  gland,  slightly  magnified,  resembled 
perfectly  those  of  a  normal  liver;  the  lobes,  the  central  veins  of  the 
lobes,  the  sinus  of  the  veine-portey  the  radiating  bays  of  the  hepatic  cells 
are  all  well  preserved.  We  can  thus  assure  ourselves  that  the  con- 
junctive perilobular  tissue  is  not  thickened.  With  a  higher  magnifying 
power  the  hepatic  cells  have  no  coloring  nuclei,  and  there  also  exists 
there  numerous  varieties  of  crystals  and  microbes.  The  masses  of 
ty rosin  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  like  very  fine  white  and  opaque 
granules,  are  less  numerous  than  in  the  lungs. 

The  kidneys  are  well  preserved  in  their  form.  Sections  enabled  one 
to  establish  the  constituent  elements,  the  fibrovascular  structure,  the 
tubuli,  and  glomeruli.  Preparations  colored  in  two  ways,  with  hema- 
toxyline,  and,  according  to  Van  Giesen,  revealed  glomerulose  lesions. 
A  certain  number  of  glomeruli,  in  fact,  presented  a  fibrous  formation, 
characterized  by  the  red  coloring  due  to  the  Van  Giesen  colorant.  In 
the  place  of  the  vessels  with  thin  walls  and  permeable  by  the  blood,  a 
uniform  red  tint  is  observed,  due  to  the  formation  of  the  conjunctive 
tissue.  It  is  a  real  interstitial  glomerulitis  far  advanced  on  some  of 
the  glomeruli  thus  transformed  into  fibrous  nodules.  Moreover,  the 
Bowmann  capsules  were  at  times  much  thickened.  The  arteries  were 
likewise  very  thick  and  surrounded  or  filled  with  crystals  of  fat. 

These  lesions  indicate  interstitial  nephritis.  The  bad  preservation  of 
the  cells  do  not  prevent  me  from  making  a  statement  wTith  reference  to 
the  lesions  to  which  they  were  subjected. 

The  spleen  did  not  reveal  any  anatomical  lesions. 

According  to  this  examination,  the  only  organs  which  were  injured 
were  the  kidneys.  As  far  as  can  be  judged  by  the  examination  of  the 
badly  preserved  viscera,  we  believe  that  the  case  in  point  is  interstitial 
nephritis,  with  fibrous  degeneracy  of  the  glomeruli  of  Malpighi,  which 
quite  agrees  with  the  symptoms  observed  during  life. 

Paris,  June  i,  1905. 

V.   CORNIL. 

NOTE. — Six  illustrations,  microphotographs  of  sections  of  kidneys,  lungs,  and 
liver  of  Jones's  body  have  been  made.  They  are  an  important  part  of  the  testimony 
which  establishes  the  identity  of  the  body. 

A  limited  number  of  these  prints  have  been  prepared,  and  any  patriotic,  medical, 
or  other  society  or  organization  desiring  to  examine  them  and  compare  them  with 
the  printed  reports  regarding  the  diseases  with  which  John  Paul  Jones  suffered  may 
obtain  them  from  the  Navy  Department  and  insert  them  in  its  copy  of  this  volume 
following  the  report  of  Professor  Cornil. — Compiler. 


VIEW  OF  THE  YARD  OVER  THE  BURIED  SAINT  LOUIS  CEMETERY. 

Within  the  doorway  at  the  left  is  the  fifth  shaft  (marked  E  on  the  plan),  near  which  the  body  of 
John  Paul  Jones  was  found.     Drawn  by  Jay  Hambridge  from  photographs. 


PLACE  WHERE  THE  BODY  WAS  FOUND. 


Gen.  Horace  Porter  at  the  left,  Second  Secretary  of  Embassy  A.  Bailly-Blanchard,  and  Paul  Weiss, 
engineer.  The  workman  holds  the  point  of  his  pick  over  the  spot  where  he  had  struck  the  leaden 
coffin. 


REPORT  OF  ENGINEER  WEISS 

[Translation.] 

French  Republic, 
Prefecture  of  the  Department  of  the  Seine, 

Paris,  May  p,  1905. 

At  the  request  of  His  Excellency  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  American 
ambassador  to  the  French  Republic,  the  service  of  the  quarries  of  the 
Department  of  the  Seine  was  charged  by  the  prefect  of  the  Seine  to 
proceed  with  the  researches  with  a  view  of  discovering  the  remains  of 
Admiral  John  Paul  Jones,  who  died  in  Paris  in  1792  and  was  interred 
in  the  former  cemetery  for  foreign  Protestants,  as  it  appears  from  the 
report  of  the  burial  transcribed  by  Mr.  Charles  Read. 

It  was  the  long  and  patient  researches  of  General  Porter,  assisted  by 
Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard,  which  determined  with  certainty  the  place  of 
burial. 

They  found  in  the  archives,  and  particularly  in  the  archives  of  the 
prefecture  of  the  Seine,  documents  giving  the  exact  plan  and  description 
of  the  cemetery. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  appears  from  a  letter  of  Colonel  Blackden — an 
intimate  friend  of  Admiral  Jones — that  the  body  had  been  put  in  a 
leaden  coffin,  so  that  it  might  be  easily  transported  to  America  in  case 
the  United  States,  which  he  had  served  in  such  a  brilliant  manner  and 
with  so  much  honor,  should  claim  his  remains. 

The  place  and  manner  of  burial  were  therefore  perfectly  well  deter- 
mined and  enabled  one  to  limit  the  researches.  It  was  a  matter  of  con- 
cern in  the  first  place  to  ascertain  with  precision  the  exact  boundaries  of 
the  former  cemetery  for  foreign  Protestants. 

Now  this  cemetery  figures  very  plainly  upon  the  map  of  Paris,  made 
by  Verniquet  in  179 1.  It  consisted  of  a  garden  of  large  dimensions, 
bordering  the  rue  Grange-aux- Belles  and  adjoining  a  dwelling  house 
looking  upon  a  courtyard,  from  which  it  was  separated  by  a  wall  con- 
taining a  gate.  This  gate  opened  upon  a  flight  of  steps  giving  access 
to  the  cemetery,  the  ground  of  which  was  lower  than  the  courtyard. 
See  plana  annexed  to  report. 

According  to  divers  documents  collected  by  Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard, 
the  garden  forming  the  cemetery  was  planted  with  fruit  trees  and  was 
traversed  crosswise  by  two  wide  walks. 

«  Reproduced,  p.  56. 

95 


96  Papers  and  Reports 


After  1805  burials  ceased  in  the  cemetery,  and  in  the  first  half  of  the 
nineteenth  century  the  garden  was  leveled  up  with  all  sorts  of  rubbish 
to  a  height  of  3  or  4  meters,  so  that  the  ground  of  the  garden  came  up 
to  a  level  with  the  courtyard.  Divers  buildings  were  erected  on  this 
filled- up  ground,  notably  a  building  used  as  a  public  laundry,  two 
houses,  stables,  barns,  etc.  All  these  buildings  were  erected  upon  unsta- 
ble earth ;  subsequent  excavations  showed  that  the  foundations  did  not 
reach  down  to  the  level  of  the  buried  bodies,  and  that  they  did  not  rest 
upon  the  natural  soil — consisting  largely  of  gypsum,  which  forms  the 
substratum  of  the  region — but  upon  the  made  earth. 

The  photographs,  Nos.  1  to  9,  inclusive,  annexed  to  the  present  report, 
enable  one  to  form  an  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  buildings  erected  on  the 
site  of  the  former  cemetery  and  of  the  difficulties  which  the  researchers 
were  to  encounter. 

The  house  on  the  courtyard  now  bearing  the  number  47,  or  the  rue 
Grange-aux-Belles,  had  already  figured  in  the  plan  of  Verniquet.  Since 
then  there  had  been  added  another  building,  serving  the  purpose  of  a 
hotel,  having  two  windows  on  the  rue  Grange-aux-Belles.  The  sepa- 
rating wall  of  the  courtyard  and  the  cemetery  is  still  visible  and  can 
be  easily  traced  on  the  premises. 

On  the  side  of  the  rue  Grange-aux-Belles,  the  present  wall,  indicated 
by  the  numbers  43  and  45,  formed  the  boundary  of  the  cemetery,  which 
was  likewise  inclosed  on  the  opposite  side  by  walls  raised  afterwards, 
which  still  exist  in  the  old  places. 

The  limits  of  the  old  cemetery  were  therefore  easy  to  determine,  and 
no  doubt  could  exist  with  regard  to  the  extent  of  the  area  in  which  the 
researches  were  to  be  made. 

At  the  request  of  His  Excellency  General  Porter,  it  was  decided  to 
begin  the  researches  beneath  the  laundry.  The  excavations  could  not 
be  undertaken  by  means  of  open  cuts  on  account  of  the  opposition  made 
by  the  tenants,  and  recourse  to  subterranean  work  had  to  be  resorted  to. 
A  shaft  was  sunk  at  A  (see  plan)  under  the  shed  belonging  to  Bassigny, 
a  grain  dealer.  The  first  2.70  meters  passed  through  the  filling,  and 
after  that  a  stratum  of  black  vegetable  earth,  which  formed  the  soil  of 
the  old  cemetery.  Below  this  bed  of  vegetable  soil,  of  a  thickness  of  1 .30 
meters,  abed  of  black  earth  mixed  with  the  debris  of  gypsum  was  traversed, 
when  the  natural  soil  formed  of  white  marl  and  gypsum  was  reached. 

With  the  first  blows  of  the  pick  bones  were  encountered,  which  fixed 
the  exact  level  at  which  the  dead  had  been  interred.  Nowhere  were  any 
vaults  of  masonry,  analogous  to  those  in  cemeteries  of  the  present  day, 
discovered.     All  the  bodies  had  been  interred  directly  in  the  earth. 

At  a  depth  of  5.50  meters  the  shaft  was  stopped,  and  on  a  level  with  the 
vegetable  earth,  a  gallery  was  run  penetrating  beneath  the  laundry  and 
carried  as  far  as  the  old  wall  of  separation  of  the  cemetery  for  foreign 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  97 


Protestants  and  the  courtyard  of  the  adjacent  dwelling  houses.  The  old 
wall  was  encountered  at  the  exact  spot  indicated  on  Verniquet's  map. 
Directly  after  this  discovery,  which  fixed  definitively  the  site  of  the  old 
cemetery,  two  longitudinal  galleries  were  run,  intended  to  explore  the 
laundry.  At  the  same  time  a  shaft  was  sunk  in  the  street  by  which  two 
further  galleries  to  meet  the  first  two  were  run;  moreover,  to  hasten 
the  work,  excavations  were  made  in  the  cellars  situated  on  the  north 
side  of  the  building  (see  photographs  of  works,  Nos.  1  to  13,  inclusive). 
Close  to  the  site  of  the  old  flight  of  stairs,  giving  access  to  the  garden, 
the  gallery  extending  along  the  wall  of  separation  encountered  a  leaden 
coffin,  very  much  flattened,  the  head  of  which  was  wanting.  On  the 
center  of  the  coffin  a  copper  plate  was  discovered,  in  a  very  bad  state, 
which  was  able  to  be  partially  deciphered  by  the  care  of  M.  Andre\  a 
restorer  of  objects  of  art.  The  face  was  indecipherable,  but  on  examin- 
ing the  reverse  side,  an  inscription  was  found  indicating  that  the  body 
was  that  of  an  Englishman  who  died  May  20,  1790. 

The  coffin  was  therefore  not  that  of  Admiral  Jones. 

Beneath  the  laundry,  the  area  of  which  was  fully  explored,  both  by 
galleries  and  by  soundings,  no  other  leaden  coffin  was  found,  while  many 
bones  were  encountered. 

The  work  being  particularly  difficult  in  this  place  on  account  of  the 
infiltrations  of  water,  all  the  galleries  were  rapidly  and  carefully  refilled 
and  the  work  of  exploring  the  property  of  the  grain  dealer  begun. 
Three  fresh  shafts  were  sunk  and  the  galleries  extended  in  all  directions 
(see  plan).  At  the  base  of  shaft  B  in  the  north  gallery  a  second  leaden 
coffin,  perfectly  well  preserved,  was  soon  discovered.  It  bore  a  plate 
with  the  name  of  "Richard  Hay,  Esquire,  died  in  Paris  the  29th  Jan- 
uary, 1785."  The  researches  were  then  continued  and  a  few  meters 
farther  on  another  leaden  coffin  was  unearthed.  In  immediate  contact 
above  it  there  had  been  interred,  without  precaution,  another  body. 
The  whole  was  taken  out  and  the  bones  above  removed. 

It  was  then  established  that  the  wooden  coffin,  which  had  contained 
the  leaden  coffin,  and  of  which  some  fragments  were  still  on  the  side, 
had  been  removed  from  the  upper  part  except  near  the  feet.  No  dis- 
tinctive mark  or  plate  could  be  discovered.  It  is  probable  that  at  the 
moment  of  burying  the  second  body  the  gravedigger  had  been  led  to 
remove  the  top  of  the  wooden  coffin  and  the  plate  at  the  same  time. 

Under  these  conditions  nothing  remained  but  to  open  the  coffin  to 
identify  the  body.  The  opening  of  the  coffin  took  place  in  the  presence 
of  His  Excellency  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  Colonel  Bailly-Blanchard,  M. 
Weiss,  inspector  of  quarries,  and  the  agents  charged  with  the  conduct 
of  the  work. 

As  soon  as  the  lid  was  raised  the  minute  precautions  that  had  been 
taken  when  the  body  was  placed  in  the  coffin  became  apparent.  The 
7257-07 7 


98  Papers   and  Reports 


body  was  packed  in  hay  and  straw  and  appeared  ready  to  be  transported 
to  a  long  distance.  Upon  withdrawing  some  of  the  straw  the  winding 
sheet  which  enveloped  the  corpse  became  visible,  and  in  raising  this  sheet 
the  body  was  discovered  to  be  in  a  marvelous  state  of  preservation. 

The  sole  fact  of  the  careful  packing  was  a  serious  presumption  leading 
to  the  supposition  that  one  was  in  the  presence  of  Admiral  Jones.  The 
letter  of  Colonel  Blackden  expressly  mentions  that  the  body  had  been 
arranged  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could  be  easily  transported. 

It  was  then  decided  to  have  the  body  examined  by  Doctor  Capitan, 
professor  in  the  School  of  Anthropology.  Doctor  Capitan  came  to 
visit  the  premises  on  Saturday,  April  8,  and  asked  that  the  coffin 
be  conveyed  to  the  School  of  Medicine  in  order  to  proceed  with  the 
anthropometric  measurements  necessary  for  the  identification. 

After  the  prefect  of  police  had  been  notified,  the  coffin  was  trans- 
ported, Saturday  evening,  to  the  School  of  Medicine,  through  the  care 
of  M.  Geninet,  municipal  conductor.  It  was  handed  over  to  the  super- 
intendent of  materials  and  deposited  in  one  of  the  dissecting  rooms  until 
the  official  identification  could  take  place. 

While  the  anthropometric  measurements  were  being  proceeded  with, 
the  subterranean  work  was  continued. 

Along  the  northern  wall  a  fourth  leaden  coffin  was  found,  bearing  the 
name  of  "George  Maidison,  Gentilhomme  anglais  et  Secretaire  de  l'Am- 
bassade  de  Sa  Majeste  Britannique  aupres  de  Sa  Majeste  tres-chr£tienne, 
decide  a  Paris  le  27  Aout  1783,  dge  de  36  ans." 

Along  the  western  wall  a  well  was  discovered,  which  was  mentioned 
in  the  old  documents  pertaining  to  the  cemetery,  and  then  a  brick  vault 
containing  a  wooden  coffin  without  any  indication  of  name,  and,  finally, 
a  fifth  leaden  coffin. 

This  anonymous  coffin,  2.10  meters  long,  contained  the  remains  of  a 
man  of  very  tall  stature ;  it  was  accompanied  by  a  leaden  rectangular- 
shaped  box  containing  the  viscera  of  the  deceased  and  a  leaden  heart  of 
large  dimensions  in  which  the  heart  of  the  deceased  had  evidently  been 
inclosed. 

This  coffin  could  not  have  been  that  of  Admiral  Jones,  partly  for  the 
reason  of  the  exceptional  stature  of  the  corpse,  and  partly  on  account  of 
the  special  circumstances  of  the  burial,  which  would  certainly  have  been 
mentioned  in  the  certificate  of  burial. 

In  the  meantime  the  anthropometric  measurements  established  the 
identity  of  the  body  previously  found.  The  measurements  of  the  head, 
taken  with  care,  coincided  to  within  a  millimeter  with  those  of  the  bust 
of  Admiral  Jones,  by  Houdon,  in  possession  of  the  Trocadero;  the  ini- 
tial found  upon  the  cap  which  contained  the  hair  afforded,  moreover,  a 
fresh  proof  in  support  of  the  conclusions  of  the  scientists.  Excavations 
were  consequently  stopped  on  April  15,  and  the  restoring  of  the  premises 
to  order  begun. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  99 

Thus,  as  can  be  seen  by  an  examination  of  the  map,  the  old  cemetery- 
was  almost  entirely  explored;  25  meters  of  shafts,  245  meters  of  gal- 
leries, 178  meters  of  soundings  were  excavated. 

To  summarize:  In  the  course  of  the  excavations  five  leaden  coffins 
only  were  found. 

One  alone,  according  to  the  circumstances,  could  be  that  of  Admiral 
Jones.  The  body  contained  in  this  coffin  was  in  such  an  extraordinary 
state  of  preservation  that  it  could  be  easily  identified. 

The  discovery  of  the  remains  of  Admiral  Jones  is  thus  scientifically 
established,  and  the  service  of  the  quarries  is  happy  to  have  contributed 
to  bring  again  to  the  light  of  day  the  celebrated  sailor  who  covered  him- 
self with  so  much  glory  at  the  time  when  the  arms  of  old  France  and 
the  young  American  Republic  of  the  United  States  fought  shoulder  to 
shoulder. 

Paris,  the  19th  day  of  May,  1905. 

P.  Weiss, 
The  Engineer  of  Mines,  Inspector  of  Quarries. 


FRENCH  ARTILLERY  CAISSON,   BEARING  THE  COFFIN  OF  JOHN   PAUL  JONES,   MOVING  ALONG  THE  CHAMPS- 

ELYSEES,   PARIS,  JULY  6,    1905. 

From  a  photograph. 


AMERICAN   SAILORS  CROSSING  THE    BRIDGE  OF  ALEXANDER    III.  AND   PASSING   BEFORE  THE  CATAFALQUE  ON 
WHICH  WAS  PLACED  THE  COFFIN  OF  JOHN   PAUL  JONES,   PARIS,  JULY  6,    1905. 

From  a  photograph. 


REPORT  OF  REAR-ADMIRAL  SIGSBEE 

U.  S.  NAVY 

[Extract.] 

Office  of  the  Commander  Second  Squadron, 

North  Atlantic  Fleet, 
U.  S.  S.  Brooklyn,  Tompkinsville \  N.  Y.,July  26,  1905. 
Sir:  In  making  my  report  relative  to  the  John  Paul  Jones  expedition, 
under  my  command  in  chief,  I  shall  divide  the  report  into  four  parts, 
owing  to  the  length  of  the  report.  The  first  part  will  embrace  the 
passage  from  Tompkinsville,  Staten  Island,  New  York,  to  Cherbourg, 
France,  including  the  proceedings  immediately  following  the  arrival  at 
Cherbourg.  The  second  part  will  embrace  the  matters  relating  to  our 
visit  to  Cherbourg  and  Paris,  including  the  ceremonies  connected  with 
the  transfer  and  the  embarkation  of  the  remains  of  Paul  Jones.  The 
third  part  will  embrace  the  return  passage  from  Cherbourg  to  Annapolis, 
Md. ,  and  the  fourth  part  will  embrace  matters  connected  with  the  trans- 
fer of  the  remains  to  the  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis. 

PART  1 

In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  Navy  Department,  I  took  command 
in  chief  of  the  third  division  of  the  Second  Squadron,  detached  tempo- 
rarily from  the  North  Atlantic  Fleet  for  the  John  Paul  Jones  expedition, 
on  June  18,  1905. 

I  got  the  squadron  under  way,  at  Tompkinsville,  for  Cherbourg, 
France,  at  1  p.  m.  on  Sunday,  June  18. 

The  squadron  was  composed  of  the  Brooklyn,  flag  ship,  Capt.  John  M. 
Hawley,  U.  S.  Navy;  the  Tacoma,  Commander  Reginald  F.  Nicholson, 
U.  S.  Navy;  the  Galveston,  Commander  William  G.  Cutler,  U.  S.  Navy; 
and  the  Chattanooga,  Commander  Alex.  Sharp,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Because  of  the  recently  reported  icebergs  and  floes  well  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  Great  Bank,  I  chose  the  most  southerly  steamship  route  for 
the  passage. 

On  June  26,  late  in  the  afternoon,  the  North  German  Lloyd  steam- 
ship Deutschland  passed  in  sight  of  the  squadron,  bound  eastward,  and 
the  American  Line  steamship  New  York,  bound  westward,  passed  a  few 
hours  later. 

No  stops  were  necessary  because  of  derangement  of  the  machinery  or 
other  mishaps. 


102  Papers   and  Reports 


The  light-house  on  Bishops  Rock  was  sighted  at  about  i  p.  m.  on 
June  29.  After  that  the  weather  thickened.  Thereafter,  until  9.30 
a.  m.  the  following  day,  June  30,  no  landmarks  were  seen,  nor  any 
whistles  heard,  until  we  sighted  the  breakwater  fort  at  the  western 
entrance  to  Cherbourg,  about  2  miles  distant,  and  saw  the  pilot  boats 
coming  out. 

We  entered  the  harbor  in  column  at  about  9.30  a.  m.,  and  therefore 
on  time,  according  to  our  schedule,  notwithstanding  the  fog.  The  day 
before,  when  off  to  southward  of  the  Lizard,  I  sent  a  wireless  message 
broadcast,  stating  that  the  John  Paul  Jones  squadron  was  in  the  channel 
and  due  at  Cherbourg  early  on  the  30th.  We  received  a  reply,  not 
knowing  whence  at  the  time,  asking  if  I  desired  telegrams  to  be  sent. 
I  replied,  "Yes;  to  the  American  ambassador  at  Paris  and  the  Ameri- 
can consul  at  Cherbourg."  I  afterwards  found  that  telegrams  had 
been  sent  and  received  accordingly,  and,  as  it  appeared,  from  the  Lizard. 
It  may  as  well  be  said  here  that  for  some  days  previously  we  had 
received  from  the  station  at  Poldhu  items  of  news,  by  wireless,  daily. 
They  reached  us  with  more  or  less  completeness  when  we  were  distant 
a  thousand  miles  from  Poldhu. 

When  inside  of  the  breakwater  I  saluted  the  port  with  2 1  guns.  The 
salute  was  returned  at  once.  During  the  day  official  visits  were  made 
as  follows  by  myself:  To  Vice- Admiral  Besson;  to  Rear- Admiral  de 
Marolles,  the  subprefet;  and  to  M.  Albert  Mahieu,  mayor  of  Cherbourg. 
These  visits  were  returned  while  I  was  in  Paris,  my  departure  having 
been  previously  arranged  for  in  conference  with  Vice- Admiral  Besson. 
In  fact,  throughout  all  the  proceedings  thereafter,  Vice- Admiral  Besson 
showed  to  myself  the  most  delicate  appreciation  of  the  difficulties  of  my 
position,  owing  to  the  scant  time  at  my  disposal,  in  which  many  duties 
and  operations  were  to  be  completed. 

At  9  a.  m.  on  July  1  three  French  war  vessels  of  the  second  division 
of  the  Squadron  of  the  North,  under  Rear- Admiral  S.  Leygue,  arrived 
in  Cherbourg  from  Brest.  These  vessels  had  also  encountered  twelve 
hours  of  thick  fog.  The  French  vessels  were  the  Bouvz'nes,  Captain 
Lamson;  the  Henri  IV,  Captain  Lephay,  and  Amiral  Trehouart,  Captain 
Schilling.  The  French  vessels  were  painted  black,  and  were  assigned 
berths  less  favorable  than  ours  for  communication  with  the  shore. 
Although  Rear-Admiral  Leygue  was  my  senior,  he  saluted  my  flag 
immediately  his  flagship  had  reached  the  inside  of  the  breakwater, 
thereby  anticipating  me,  and  evidently  by  intention;  in  fact,  I  so  ascer- 
tained afterwards.  I  promptly  made  my  visit  to  Admiral  Leygue,  and 
he  promptly  returned  it,  knowing  that  I  desired  to  proceed  to  Paris  on 
the  evening  of  that  day.  He  also  directed  his  captains  to  visit  me 
immediately,  which  they  did.  This  was  merely  characteristic  of  the 
tact  and  consideration  shown  throughout  by  all  French  officers. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  103 


At  5  p.  m.  on  July  1 ,  I  left  Cherbourg  for  Paris  with  my  personal 
staff,  Lieut.  Cassius  B.  Barnes,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  Lieut.  Edward  McCau- 
ley,  jr.,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  with  an  additional  staff  composed  of  the 
following  officers:  Capt.  John  M.  Hawley,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding 
Brooklyn;  Commander  Reginald  F.  Nicholson,  U.  S.  Navy,  command- 
ing Tacoma;  Commander  William  G.  Cutler,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding 
Galveston/  Commander  Alexander  Sharp,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding 
Chattanooga ;  Lieut.  Commander  Frederic  C.  Bowers,  U.  S.  Navy,  fleet 
engineer;  Surg.  John  M.  Steele,  U.  S.  Navy,  fleet  medical  officer;  Pay 
Inspector  Samuel  L-  Heap,  U.  S.  Navy,  fleet  paymaster;  and  Chaplain 
G.  Livingston  Bayard,  U.  S.  Navy. 

I  also  ordered  Mr.  Henri  Marion,  professor  of  languages,  United 
States  Naval  Academy,  to  Paris,  as  I  required  his  services  as  interpreter 
and  in  translating  official  documents.  Mr.  Marion  had  been  granted 
permission  by  the  Navy  Department  to  take  passage  on  the  flagship  to 
Cherbourg  and  return. 

The  train  arrived  in  Paris  a  few  moments  after  midnight.  We  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  the  Hotel  Brighton,  218  Rue  de  Rivoli,  where  quarters 
had  previously  been  engaged  for  us. 

PART  11 

On  the  night  of  July  1,  Mr.  Francis  B.  Looniis,  special  ambassador  of 
the  United  States  in  connection  with  the  reception  and  transfer  of  the 
remains  of  John  Paul  Jones,  arrived  at  Cherbourg  on  board  the  steamer 
Philadelphia.  I  had  prepared  for  his  reception  on  board  the  Brooklyn. 
Mr.  Loomis  was  met  on  board  the  Philadelphia  by  an  officer  from  the 
Brooklyn,  and  escorted  to  the  Brooklyn,  where  he  remained  overnight 
in  quarters  already  prepared  for  him.  He  left  the  following  morning, 
July  2,  for  Paris,  where  he  arrived  at  3.30  p.  m. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  July  2,  with  my  whole  escort  of  officers,  I 
visited  the  American  ambassador,  Mr.  Robert  S.  McCormick,  at  the 
embassy.  He  was  very  zealous  for  our  convenience  and  entertainment, 
and,  by  his  tact,  courtesy,  and  knowledge  of  affairs,  contributed  greatly 
to  the  success  which  attended  our  visit  to  Paris.  In  social- official 
matters,  Mrs.  McCormick  gave  us  most  kindly  and  helpful  advice,  in 
addition  to  dispensing  gracefully  the  hospitalities  of  the  embassy. 

On  July  3,  Monday,  at  11.30  a.  m.,  Mr.  Loomis  and  myself,  attended 
by  Lieutenant-Commander  Smith  and  Lieutenant  McCauley,  visited  by 
appointment  the  French  prime  minister,  M.  Rouvier.  Afterwards  I 
visited  Mr.  Thomson,  the  minister  of  marine,  and  his  chief  of  staff.  In 
the  afternoon  an  informal  reception  was  given  at  the  house  of  the  Amer- 
ican naval  attache,  Lieutenant-Commander  Smith,  which  our  whole 
party  attended.  That  day  I  also  made  my  visit  to  Gen.  Horace  Porter, 
first  special  ambassador  of  the  United  States  in  connection  with  the 
transfer  of  the  remains  of  John  Paul  Jones. 


104  Papers   and  Reports 


On  Tuesday,  the  4th  of  July,  we  received  many  visits  in  the  morning 
from  Americans  living  in  Paris,  and,  both  by  telegram  and  letter,  I 
received  expressions  of  patriotism  and  felicitation  on  our  national  holi- 
day. The  annual  dinner  of  the  American  Chamber  of  Commerce,  to 
which  all  had  been  invited,  was  abandoned  in  respect  to  the  memory  of 
the  late  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  John  Hay,  whose  remains  were  at  that 
time  lying  in  state.  At  6  p.  m.  I  proceeded  with  my  staff,  in  company 
with  Mr.  Loomis,  to  the  American  embassy,  from  which  place  we  were 
conducted  to  the  palace  of  the  President,  where  we  were  received  by  the 
President  of  France,  Mr.  Loubet.  From  the  embassy  the  five  carriages 
containing  Mr.  Loomis,  myself,  and  staff,  were  completely  surrounded 
by  a  company  of  cuirassiers,  forming  the  same  escort  which  was  given 
the  King  of  Spain  on  his  first  visit  to  the  President  of  France  during  the 
the  preceding  month.  At  the  gate  of  the  palace  the  escort  parted 
and  permitted  the  carriages  to  pass  within,  where  several  companies  of 
infantry  were  drawn  up.  On  our  arrival,  the  troops  presented  arms 
and  the  band  played  the  American  national  anthem.  The  President 
expressed  the  friendly  feeling  which  the  people  of  France  held  for  the 
American  people,  and  referred  to  the  cause  of  this  visit  as  another  tie 
which  served  to  bind  the  two  peoples,  the  two  great  Republics,  to  a  close 
friendship  and  a  perfect  understanding.  We  were  conducted  back  to 
the  embassy  with  the  same  honors  as  were  given  us  in  going  to  the 
palace. 

On  the  5th,  Mr.  Loomis,  myself,  and  staff  were  entertained  at  a  state 
luncheon  by  the  French  prime  minister  and  Mrs.  Rouvier,  and  at  a  state 
dinner  by  the  minister  of  marine  and  Mrs.  Thomson.  Both  entertain- 
ments were  attended  by  French  officials  of  high  rank,  and  were  of  a 
character  to  show  that  extreme  compliment  was  intended.  At  the  first, 
with  the  exception  of  the  hostess,  only  gentlemen  were  present,  while 
at  the  latter  ladies  were  also  present.  After  the  luncheon  with  the 
prime  minister  on  the  5th,  the  whole  party  was  invited  to  visit  the 
municipal  council  at  the  Hotel  de  Ville,  where  we  were  received  on 
behalf  of  the  people  of  Paris.  We  were  accompanied  by  Lieutenant 
Andre,  ordnance  officer  of  the  minister  of  marine.  We  were  received 
by  M.  Paul  Brousse,  president  of  the  municipal  council  and  of  the  gen- 
eral council;  by  M.  Antrand,  secretary-general  of  the  prefecture  of  the 
Seine,  and  M.  Laurent,  secretary-general  of  the  prefecture  of  police. 
Short  addresses  of  welcome  were  made  by  the  president  of  the  municipal 
council,  and  by  the  secretary-general  of  the  prefecture  of  the  Seine,  in 
behalf  of  his  chief,  the  prefect  of  the  Seine;  also  by  the  secretary- 
general  of  the  prefecture  of  police,  in  the  name  of  the  prefect  of  police. 
Responses  were  made,  first  by  Mr.  Loomis,  and  then  by  myself.  Cham- 
pagne was  then  served,  and  M.  Paul  Brousse  proposed  the  health  of 
President  Roosevelt,  and  Mr.  Loomis  proposed  the  health  of  President 
Loubet.     Following  this  entertainment,  we  were  escorted  by  the  various 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  105 


French  gentlemen  through  the  Hotel  de  Ville,  after  which  we  returned 
to  our  quarters. 

On  the  6th,  the  day  of  the  formal  transfer  of  the  remains  of  John 
Paul  Jones  at  Paris,  the  landing  parties  of  the  various  ships  were  roused 
out  at  about  2  a.  m.  They  took  the  train  for  Paris  at  Cherbourg  at 
3.30  a.  m.  They  arrived  at  the  station  at  Paris  at  11.40  a.  m.,  where 
the  party  was  met  by  French  officials.  As  to  this  and  subsequent  events 
connected  with  the  landing  party  at  the  transfer,  and  especially  as  giv- 
ing the  names  of  the  French  officers  and  officials  concerned,  I  invite 
attention  to  Inclosure  Ca  of  this  second  report,  which  inclosure  was 
obtained  for  me  by  the  American  naval  attache  at  my  request.  This 
memorandum,  together  with  my  further  report,  will  serve  to  show  the 
magnitude  and  splendor  of  our  reception  at  Paris  in  honor  of  the  United 
States  and  of  the  purposes  of  the  expedition. 

On  the  6th  the  ceremony  of  transferring  the  remains  of  John  Paul 
Jones  took  place  at  3.30  p.  m.,  at  the  American  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  at  the  avenue  de  l'Alma,  where  the  casket  containing  the 
remains  of  John  Paul  Jones  were  lying  in  state,  decorated  with  drapery, 
and  with  a  profusion  of  floral  emblems.  Admission  to  the  church  was 
by  special  invitation  and  a  presentation  of  cards  at  the  door.  Many 
could  not  find  entrance.  The  American  sailors  and  French  soldiers  were 
formed  outside  of  the  church,  where  an  artillery  caisson,  ornamented 
with  drapery  and  French  and  American  flags,  was  also  in  waiting.  As 
to  the  character  of  the  French  escort  of  troops  and  the  officers  command- 
ing, Inclosure  C  of  this  report,  already  cited,  gives  adequate  informa- 
tion. On  the  right  of  the  central  aisle  and  next  the  chancel  and  facing 
the  chancel  were  the  American  representatives;  on  the  left  were  the 
French  representatives.  Virtually  the  whole  diplomatic  corps  was 
present,  with  Ambassador  and  Mrs.  McCormick,  General  Porter,  Mr. 
Loomis,  United  States  Senator  Henry  Cabot  Lodge,  and  myself  on  the 
front  seat.  There  were  also  present  General  Dubois,  representing  the 
President  of  France;  M.  Rouvier,  president  of  the  council  of  ministers 
and  minister  of  foreign  affairs;  M.  Berteaux,  minister  of  war;  M.  Gaston 
Thomson,  minister  of  marine;  M.  Clementel,  minister  for  the  colonies; 
General  Brugere,  vice-president  of  the  superior  council  of  war;  Vice- 
Admiral  Fournier,  French  navy,  member  of  the  superior  council  of  the 
navy,  etc. 

A  memorial  service  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  John  B.  Morgan, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  M.  Van  Winkle,  M.  Mesny,  and  Doctor  Tully. 
The  services  are  described  in  more  detail  in  Inclosure  C.  At  the  close 
of  the  church  services  Gen.  Horace  Porter  made  a  short  address,6  trans- 
ferring the  remains  to  the  second  special  ambassador,  Mr.  Loomis.     Mr. 

a  Inclosures  A  and  B  omitted.     For  Inclosures  C,  D,  E,  and  F,  see  Appendix. — 
Compiler. 
6  See  p.  73. 


io6  Papers   and  Reports 


Loomis  then  read  an  address  of  considerable  length,  ending  by  trans- 
ferring the  remains  formally  to  my  charge.  A  copy  of  Mr.  Loomis' s 
address  is  hereto  appended,  marked  "  Inclosure  D."  Thereupon  I  read 
a  short  address,  accepting  the  custody  of  the  remains  on  behalf  of  the 
United  States  Navy  Department  and  taking  over  further  responsibility. 
A  copy  is  appended,  marked  "Inclosure  B."  This  ended  the  ceremony 
within  the  church. 

I  had  previously  detailed  as  body  bearers  four  petty  officers  from  each 
ship  of  my  command,  each  over  6  feet  in  stature.  The  body  bearers 
placed  the  casket  on  a  wheeled  truck,  conducted  it  to  the  street  and 
there  placed  it  on  the  caisson.  The  procession  was  then  formed.  With 
the  exception  of  the  artillery  and  cavalry,  all  were  on  foot ;  that  is  to 
say,  there  were  no  carriages.  The  absence  of  carriages  was  intended  as 
an  additional  mark  of  respect  and  courtesy.  Even  a  few  ladies,  presum- 
ably the  wives  of  dignitaries,  were  in  the  procession.  There  were  no 
French  sailors  present.  Therefore  our  blue  jackets  were  put  in  com- 
parison with  the  flower  of  the  French  soldiery,  and,  as  we  always  find, 
our  men  looked  businesslike  and  bore  themselves  thoroughly  well, 
although  they  had  no  opportunity  to  land  at  Cherbourg  and  have  pre- 
liminary drills  for  the  occasion.  Moreover,  they  had  landed  from  coal- 
ing ship,  and  had  been  almost  without  sleep,  and  with  but  scant  oppor- 
tunity to  prepare  themselves  immediately  for  the  occasion.  Many 
photographs  have  been  taken  of  the  procession.  All  show  creditable 
performance  on  the  part  of  the  American  blue  jackets.  The  procession 
proceeded  along  the  avenue  de  l'Alma  and  the  avenue  des  Champs  Ely- 
sees,  thence  through  the  Champs  Elysees,  across  the  Pont  Alexandre 
III,  through  the  Esplanade  des  Invalides  to  the  Rue  de  Constantine, 
where,  opposite  the  H6tel  des  Invalides,  in  which  the  remains  of  Napo- 
leon I  repose,  a  highly  decorated  pavilion  had  been  erected.  In  the 
central  front  of  the  pavilion  was  a  bier.  The  casket  was  removed  from 
the  caisson  by  the  American  body  bearers  and  placed  on  the  bier.  Dis- 
tinguished civilians  and  officers,  French  and  American,  took  position  in 
front  of  the  pavilion,  after  which  the  whole  military  and  naval  proces- 
sion marched  past,  the  American  sailors  leading  and  followed  by  the 
French  infantry,  artillery,  and  cavalry,  in  the  order  named,  the  officers 
saluting  as  they  passed  the  pavilion.  The  cavalry  went  past  on  the 
trot.  It  was  a  most  beautiful  and  impressive  sight,  the  most  distin- 
guished, I  was  informed  by  M.  Rouvier,  that  had  been  seen  in  Paris  of 
recent  years.  '  After  the  march  past,  the  French  civilians  and  French 
officers  took  leave  of  the  Americans  at  the  pavilion,  with  much  kindly 
exchange  of  sentiment  and  good  will.  Then  the  casket  was  replaced  on 
the  caisson  by  the  American  body  bearers  and  escorted  to  the  railroad 
station,  only  a  few  yards  distant,  where  the  casket  was  again  taken  from 
the  caisson  and  conveyed  to  the  car  in  waiting.     The  car  was  locked 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  107 


and  sealed.  A  guard  of  American  sailors  was  placed  over  the  car,  after 
which  the  American  officers  dispersed  and  proceeded  to  their  quarters, 
and  the  blue  jackets  were  marched  again  to  the  Kcole  Militaire,  where 
they  were  again  most  courteously  received  and  provided  with  dinner. 
The  officers  accompanying  the  landing  party  were  provided  with  meals 
at  the  Cercle  Militaire. 

At  9.10  p.  m.  the  landing  party  of  bluejackets  left  Paris  in  the  same 
train  with  the  remains  of  John  Paul  Jones.  They  arrived  at  Cherbourg 
the  following  morning.  At  Cherbourg  a  pavilion  had  been  prepared 
and  ornamented  on  the  large  commercial  quay.  Therein  the  remains  of 
John  Paul  Jones  were  deposited,  under  a  continuous  guard  of  sixteen 
French  sailors  and  sixteen  American  sailors,  to  await  further  ceremonies, 
all  arrangements  having  been  made  by  Vice- Admiral  Besson,  Rear- 
Admiral  Leygue,  and  the  Mayor  of  Cherbourg,  with  the  assistance  of 
interested  and  sympathizing  citizens,  and  the  chef  de  gare.  I  remained 
behind,  at  Paris,  with  Mr.  Loomis  and  my  full  staff  of  officers.  That 
evening,  the  6th,  our  whole  party  was  entertained  at  a  great  dinner,  in 
conjunction  with  a  distinguished  party  of  French  people,  at  the  Ameri- 
can embassy,  by  Ambassador  and  Mrs.  McCormick.  On  the  7th  the 
whole  party,  together  with  the  American  ambassador  and  General 
Porter,  lunched  with  President  Loubet.  The  entertainment  was  of  the 
same  magnificent  order  as  those  which  had  been  given  by  French  offi- 
cials. Ladies,  as  well  as  gentlemen,  were  present.  After  the  luncheon, 
we  took  final  leave  of  President  Loubet  and  the  members  of  his  minis- 
try, and  others.  That  night  I  dined  with  Mr.  Loomis  and  some  mutual 
friends,  and  I  left  before  the  dinner  was  ended  for  the  railroad  station. 
The  naval  officers  left  for  Cherbourg  at  9.10  p.  m.,  on  the  7th.  Mr. 
Loomis  accompanied  me  to  my  carriage,  and  I  think  we  were  mutually 
gratified  that  every  event  had  passed  off  without  error  worthy  of  men- 
tion, although  we  had  been  pressed  to  carry  out  all  details  precisely  in 
the  short  period  of  time  allowed  us. 

General  Porter  had  gone  to  Cherbourg  on  the  6th  [7th] .  In  advance, 
I  sent  orders  to  the  senior  American  naval  officer  present  at  Cherbourg 
to  meet  General  Porter  at  the  train,  escort  him  to  his  steamer  and  give 
him  the  salute  for  an  ambassador,  and  to  show  him  all  honors.  I  am 
informed  that  my  instructions  were  carried  out  and  were  appreciated  by 
General  Porter.  I  had  taken  it  upon  myself  to  urge  General  Porter  to 
return  to  the  United  States  on  board  the  Brooklyn,  as  my  guest.  General 
Porter,  while  expressing  much  pleasure  at  receiving  the  invitation, 
felt  obliged  to  decline,  to  my  great  disappointment.  I  also  invited 
Mr.  Loomis  to  return  to  the  United  States  on  board  the  Brooklyn.  Mr. 
Loomis  also  expressed  his  appreciation  of  my  wish  to  take  him  as  my 
guest,  and  explained  that  he  was  obliged  to  remain  for  some  time  longer 
in  Europe. 


io8  Papers   and  Reports 


The  party  of  American  officers  arrived  back  at  Cherbourg  at  6  a.  m. 
on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  At  i  o'clock  on  the  8th  I  sent  a  landing 
party  ashore,  under  arms,  where  there  were  also  assembled  French  sol- 
diers and  sailors,  under  arms,  at  the  pavilion  on  the  commercial  quay. 
The  quay,  all  along  its  great  length,  was  decorated  with  French  and 
American  flags  in  alternation.  Alongside  the  quay  was  the  French 
torpedo-boat  Zouave.  On  the  quay,  and  within  the  highly  decorated 
pavilion,  was  the  casket  containing  the  remains  of  John  Paul  Jones. 
French  and  American  flags  were  everywhere,  and  the  Zouave  was  also 
specially  prepared  and  dressed.  At  1.30  p.  m.  I  proceeded  to  the  shore, 
where  I  met  Vice- Admiral  Besson  and  Rear- Admiral  L,eygue,  with 
whom  all  arrangements  had  been  made  previously.  The  soldiers  and 
sailors  were  drawn  up  in  line  near  the  pavilion,  where  the  French  and 
American  officers  were  assembled.  Vice- Admiral  Besson  then  read  a 
short  address,  a  copy  of  which  I  append,  marked  "  Inclosure  F."  I 
had  intended  to  reply  extemporaneously  in  the  event  that  Admiral  Bes- 
son made  an  address,  but  the  admiral  immediately  gave  the  order  to 
proceed  with  the  ceremonies,  so  I  withheld  my  response  and  contented 
myself  with  shaking  hands  with  Admiral  Besson  and  thanking  him  and 
his  assistants  for  the  many  courtesies  that  we  had  received,  especially 
for  those  under  his  immediate  direction.  I  think  the  admiral  was 
prompted  by  a  desire  to  expedite  the  ceremonies  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
close  of  my  business  affairs  within  the  short  period  of  time  remaining 
to  me. 

The  casket  was  then  carried  to  the  Zouave  by  the  American  body 
bearers.  The  Zouave  cast  off  from  the  quay  and  moved  out  slowly  into 
the  harbor.  A  column  of  French  pulling  boats  formed  on  the  port 
quarter  of  the  Zouave  and  a  column  of  American  pulling  boats  on  the 
starboard  quarter  of  the  Zouave.  Each  column  was  led  by  the  barges  of 
the  admirals  of  the  respective  nationalities.  The  landing  party  left  the 
quay  later  and  proceeded  to  their  ships.  In  the  order  stated,  the  Zouave 
proceeded  slowly  to  the  Brooklyn.  It  was  a  very  beautiful  and  impress- 
ive sight.  The  quay  was  thronged  with  people  and  great  interest  was 
shown.  The  Zouave  went  alongside  the  starboard  side  of  the  Brooklyn. 
The  rails  of  the  various  ships  were  manned,  and  all  flags  were  at  half- 
mast.  When  the  Zouave  left  the  quay,  the  flagship  of  Rear-Admiral 
Leygue  began  a  salute  of  1 5  minute  guns.  That  number  of  guns  was 
fired  at  my  instance,  because  Mr.  L,oomis  in  his  address  had  named  John 
Paul  Jones  as  vice-admiral.  The  French  salute  at  Paris  had  corre- 
sponded with  that  rank.  When  the  French  flagship  Bouvines  had 
finished  her  salute,  and  after  a  short  interval,  the  Brooklyn  also  fired  a 
salute  of  15  minute  guns.  The  French  officers  from  the  procession  of 
boats  came  on  board  the  Brooklyn  over  the  port  side.  The  casket  was 
hoisted  on  board,  prayers  were  read  by  Chaplain  Bayard,  of  the  Brooklyn, 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  109 


and  the  casket  was  then  lowered  to  the  gun  deck  and  deposited  on  the 
bier  and  under  the  canopy  erected  immediately  outside  of  the  entrance 
to  the  flag  cabin. 

With  fine  tact,  Admiral  Besson  and  the  French  officers  declined  to 
proceed  to  my  cabin,  Admiral  Besson  stating  that  he  knew  the  pressure 
upon  me  to  close  my  business  and  get  to  sea  at  the  time  stated.  After 
much  exchange  of  courtesy  on  the  part  of  the  French  officers — civil, 
military,  and  naval — the  French  party  took  their  leave.  Near  by  was  a 
French  steamer,  with  passengers.  Among  the  passengers  was  Admiral 
Besson 's  daughter,  who  had  interested  herself  deeply  in  the  ceremonies 
and  had  presented  a  floral  emblem  and  had  also  arranged  the  flowers 
with  her  own  hands  on  the  casket  of  John  Paul  Jones. 

Before  proceeding  further,  I  should  state  that  while  I  was  absent  at 
Paris  on  the  4th  of  July  Vice- Admiral  Besson  gave  a  garden  party  at  the 
arsenal  to  the  officers  of  the  squadron.  This  was  largely  attended  by 
civil,  military,  and  naval  officers  and  their  families.  One  hundred  and 
twenty  of  the  enlisted  men  were  entertained  at  a  banquet  and  by  a  visit 
to  the  exposition  by  the  mayor  of  Cherbourg.  The  warrant  and  chief 
petty  officers  of  the  French  army  and  nav}7",  through  a  committee,  enter- 
tained at  lunch  the  American  warrant  and  chief  petty  officers  of  the 
squadron,  and  the  enlisted  men  of  the  French  army  and  navy  entertained 
the  enlisted  men  of  the  fleet  at  luncheon. 

On  the  Fourth  of  July  the  public  buildings  were  decorated  with  French 
and  American  flags.  The  landing  and  esplanade  were  profusely  deco- 
rated with  French  and  American  flags  alternating.  There  was  a  brilliant 
electric  illumination  of  the  French  and  American  ships,  and  a  water 
carnival  at  night  in  honor  of  the  American  squadron. 

On  the  6th  instant  Rear- Admiral  Leygue  entertained  the  senior  offi- 
cer and  one  other  officer  from  each  of  the  American  ships  at  luncheon. 
On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  the  senior  officers  of  the  American  ships 
were  entertained  at  dinner  by  Colonel  de  Grandprey,  directeur  de  genie. 

On  the  7th  the  wardroom  officers  of  the  Bouvines  entertained  the 
wardroom  officers  of  the  Brooklyn. 

Our  consular  agent,  M.  Henri  Haineville,  was  unremitting  in  his 
efforts  to  assist  in  every  way. 

By  the  courtesy  of  M.  Le  Pont,  the  chapel  where  the  body  of  John 
Paul  Jones  rested  until  it  was  transferred  to  the  ship  was  constructed 
in  his  own  building  on  the  quay.  Captains  d'Andrezelle  and  Collard, 
of  Vice- Admiral  Besson' s  staff,  gave  much  time  and  attention  to  per- 
fecting times  and  arrangements  on  shore,  while  Admiral  Leygue  and 
his  aid  were  equally  assiduous  in  arranging  for  those  afloat.  The  chef 
de  la  gare  at  Cherbourg  was  conspicuously  zealous  in  respect  to  all 
matters  connected  with  the  railroad  and  the  transportation  of  the  remains. 
Captain  d' Abeville,  director  of  the  port,  visited  the  Brooklyn  and  offered 


no  Papers   and  Reports 


us  the  facilities  of  water  lighters,  etc.  Through  his  good  offices  the 
squadron  was  furnished  with  all  the  water  required.  In  celebrating 
the  Fourth  of  July  all  the  French  officers — civil,  military,  and  naval — 
left  nothing  undone  to  show  their  hearty  good  will.  Owing  to  the 
limited  stay  of  the  squadron  in  port,  together  with  the  preparations  for 
sea  and  the  absence  of  officers  and  men,  it  was  impossible  to  return  the 
courtesies  extended  to  the  squadron  excepting  by  verbal  expression.  A 
projected  entertainment  on  board  the  Brooklyn  was  made  impracticable 
by  reason  of  the  requirements  of  the  Navy  Department  in  connection  with 
the  death  of  Mr.  Hay.  Our  limitations  were  thoroughly  understood 
by  the  French  authorities;  but,  nevertheless,  it  was  a  great  regret  to 
ourselves. 

At  5.30  p.  m.  on  the  8th  our  squadron  put  to  sea.  When  passing 
the  division  of  French  ships  we  manned  the  side  and  gave  three  hearty 
cheers,  which  were  returned.  I  then  repeated  our  national  salute  to  the 
French  flag,  which  was  returned  by  the  Bouvines.  When  we  were  in 
the  offing  the  French  fleet  put  to  sea  also  and  shaped  its  course  for 
Brest. 

I  close  this  part  of  my  report  by  informing  the  Department  that  late 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  a  representative  of  President  Loubet  arrived 
at  my  hotel  and  presented  to  me,  and  to  the  four  commanding  officers 
of  my  ships,  and  to  Lieutentant-Commander  George,  who  commanded 
the  landing  party  at  Paris,  the  cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor.  To  me 
the  President  presented  the  cross  of  commander  of  the  Legion  of 
Honor  and  to  the  others  the  cross  of  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor. 
Mr.  Loomis  had  been  presented  with  the  cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor 
on  a  former  visit  to  Paris.  I  accepted  the  decorations  provisionally, 
and  as  tactfully  as  possible,  and  later  will  bring  the  matter  formally  and 
individually,  before  the  Navy  Department. 

Our  reception  in  France  was  a  most  notable  one,  by  reason  of  its  com- 
pleteness and  scope,  as  well  as  by  its  magnificence.  It  was  the  evident 
intention  to  strengthen  the  cordial  relations  between  France  and  the 
United  States  by  taking  advantage  of  incidents  in  our  joint  history, 
namely,  the  French- American  exploits  of  John  Paul  Jones.  It  is  grati- 
fying to  me  personally,  as  commander  in  chief  of  the  naval  expedition, 
that  all  events  passed  off  with  credit  for  the  American  side.  I  am 
informed  that  this  is  the  only  occasion  when  a  large  body  of  foreign 
armed  men  has  been  permitted  to  parade  in  the  streets  of  Paris  in  time 
of  peace — that  is  to  say,  when  not  active  allies  engaged  in  war. 

PART   III 

My  squadron  took  its  departure  from  Cherbourg  at  5.30  p.  m.  on  the 
8th  of  July.  A  speed  of  1 1  knots  was  set.  Later,  in  heavy  seas,  the 
speed  was  reduced  to  10  knots.  It  was  afterwards  restored  to  n  knots 
in  order  to  take  every  advantage  of  smooth  weather. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  in 


We  had  considerable  misty  and  foggy  weather.  When  south  of 
Georges  Bank,  we  were  unable  to  get  in  communication  with  the  shore 
by  wireless  because  of  atmospheric  conditions,  and  at  one  time  because 
of  a  defect  in  our  wires.  When  about  30  or  40  miles  from  Nantucket 
light-ship  we  tried  for  a  long  time  to  get  in  communication  with  the 
light-ship,  but  there  was  very  much  interference  by  other  vessels.  How- 
ever, I  managed  to  get  the  following  message  to  the  Nantucket  light-ship: 

Report  to  Navy  Department  Paul  Jones  Squadron  is  off  Nantucket  light-ship  and 
is  due  at  Chesapeake  entrance  early  forenoon  of  Saturday.  No  stops  needed  on 
passage.     All  well. 

The  Nantucket  light-ship  informed  me  that  because  of  heavy  inter- 
ference they  could  not  get  my  message  through  to  Newport,  but  they 
promised  to  put  it  through  later,  as  promptly  as  possible.  We  were  up 
to  the  light-ship  and  sighted  it  at  8.30  p.  m.  on  the  20th. 

From  Nantucket  light-ship  I  shaped  a  straight  course  for  a  point  12 
miles  east  of  Cape  Charles  light-ship. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st  we  sighted  the  Maine,  Rear- Admiral 
Evans's  flagship,  to  the  southward,  and  I  was  directed  by  Admiral  Evans 
to  form  column  on  the  Maine.  This  was  done.  Later  one  vessel  after 
another  of  the  first  division  of  the  North  Atlantic  Fleet  joined,  and  the 
two  divisions  were  formed  into  column,  natural  order,  and  proceeded  on 
their  course  to  Cape  Henry.  Late  in  the  afternoon  Rear- Admiral  Davis 
joined  with  the  second  division  of  the  North  Atlantic  Fleet.  The  second 
division  joined  the  column  astern  of  the  third  division ;  that  is  to  say, 
the  division  under  my  command.  I  informed  Admiral  Evans  of  the 
nature  of  my  orders,  and  that  I  was  expected  by  the  Navy  Department 
to  arrive  at  the  capes  early  on  the  forenoon  of  the  2 2d,  Saturday.  The 
speed  was  set  at  1 1  knots ;  distance,  300  yards. 

There  were  eleven  vessels  in  column,  and  in  the  following  order : 

First  division — 

Maine;  flag  of  the  commander  in  chief. 

Missouri. 

Kentucky. 

Kearsarge. 
Third  division — 

Brooklyn;  flag  of  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee. 

Galveston. 

Tacoma. 

Chattanooga. 
Second  division — 

Alabama;  flag  of  Rear-Admiral  Davis. 

Illinois. 

Massachusetts. 

I  informed  Admiral  Evans,  by  signal,  that  I  had  been  instructed  by 
the  Navy  Department  to  communicate  at  Cape  Henry,  and  asked  him 


H2  Papers   and  Reports 


if  he  would  communicate  for  me.  Admiral  Evans  replied  that  he  would 
communicate  and  that  any  messages  that  I  had  to  send  should  be  sent 
through  him.     The  Iowa  joined  us  off  Cape  Henry. 

Off  the  entrance  to  Chesapeake  Bay  the  Maine  took  a  pilot  and  the 
column  entered  the  bay.  Inside  Cape  Henry  the  first  division,  under 
Admiral  Evans,  left  the  column  and  directed  me  to  proceed  to  Annapolis 
with  the  second  and  third  divisions.  Admiral  Evans  stopped  his  divi- 
sion, and  as  the  Brooklyn  passed  at  slow  speed  each  vessel  of  the  first 
division  fired  a  salute  of  15  minute  guns.  When  the  salute  was  com- 
pleted, I  re-formed  my  column,  the  second  division  leading,  each  division 
being  in  natural  order.  I  directed  Admiral  Davis  to  lead  and  pilot  up 
the  bay,  speed  10  knots,  distance  300  3'ards.  Admiral  Evans's  division 
proceeded  to  Hampton  roads,  and  when  my  column  was  about  9  miles 
distant  from  Admiral  Evans's  column  I  half-masted  the  colors  of  my 
column,  but,  from  the  vessels  of  the  third  division  only,  hoisted  the 
American  national  ensign  at  the  fore  and  the  French  national  ensign  at 
the  main. 

Although  during  the  whole  expedition  I  had  in  my  division  the  virtu- 
ally untried  Galveston,  only  recently  commissioned,  and  the  Tacoma  and 
Chattanooga,  also  new  vessels,  we  did  not  stop  on  the  passage  across 
nor  on  the  return  passage  by  reason  of  any  defect  of  the  engines  or 
other  mishap.  I  stopped  the  column  once  on  the  passage  to  Cherbourg, 
as  already  stated,  to  transfer  some  men  from  the  Tacoma  to  the  Brooklyn, 
and  stopped  once  on  reaching  soundings  southeast  of  Nantucket  Shoals 
in  order  to  get  an  up-and-down  cast  with  the  lead  line  and  a  sounding 
by  wire  and  sounding  tube,  in  order  to  compare  the  depth  shown  by  the 
sounding  tube  with  the  actual  depth  shown  by  the  line. 

PART   IV 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  2  2d  I  formed  the  two  divisions  of  vessels  in 
double  column,  distance  400  yards,  interval  500  yards,  my  division  on 
the  left  and  Rear- Admiral  Davis's  division  on  the  right,  and  in  this 
formation  I  anchored  the  squadron  below  Thomas  Point  light-house 
and  out  of  sight  of  Annapolis,  also  distant  from  Annapolis  about  7  miles, 
at  7  p.  m.  The  next  morning,  at  half  past  8,  the  squadron  was  got 
under  way,  and  we  steamed  to  Annapolis  roads  in  the  same  formation. 
There  we  anchored  at  9  a.  m.  in  the  same  formation.  We  found  there 
the  French  cruiser,  Jurien  de  la  Graviere,  Captain  Gervais.  In  order  to 
distinguish  my  vessels  as  composing  the  division  connected  with  the 
John  Paul  Jones  expedition  I  had  each  of  them  fly  the  American  ensign 
at  the  fore  and  the  French  ensign  at  the  main.  Visits  were  received 
and  made  between  the  French  cruiser  and  our  own  vessels. 

The  next  morning,  after  arrangement  with  Rear- Admiral  Sands,  in 
which  he    most   considerately  provided  that  I    should    be    in    general 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  113 


command  of  the  cortege  on  shore,  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones  was  landed, 
but  without  great  ceremony  on  the  water.  At  9  o'clock  the  Standish 
came  alongside  the  Brooklyn.  The  casket  was  placed  on  board,  and  I 
myself,  with  an  escort  of  officers,  went  on  board  the  Standish.  The 
landing  party,  which  included  Captain  Gervais  and  a  party  of  officers 
and  50  men  from  the  Jurien  de  la  Graviere,  had  previously  been  landed. 
The  Standish  then  passed  up  between  the  two  columns  of  United  States 
vessels,  while  all  the  vessels  fired  simultaneously  a  salute  of  15  minute 
guns.  The  Standish  then  proceeded  to  the  shore,  where  all  arrange- 
ments had  been  made.  Commander  Nicholson,  of  the  Tacoma,  acting 
under  my  direction,  arranged  the  cortege,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Magru- 
der,  the  flag  lieutenant  of  Rear- Admiral  Sands.  I  inclose  herewith  a 
copy  of  a  memorandum  provided  me  by  Rear- Admiral  Sands,  marked 
1 '  Inclosure  G.  "a  It  will  serve  to  show  his  own  admirable  arrangements. 
Lieutenant- Commander  George  commanded  the  landing  party  from  my 
vessels. 

A  temporary  pavilion  had  been  erected  on  the  sea  wall  inside  of  the 
artificial  basin.  The  casket  was  placed  in  a  hearse  and  the  cortege 
moved  to  the  open  ground  in  front  of  Blake  row,  where  the  different 
parties  of  men  were  disposed  as  provided  for  by  Admiral  Sands.  In  the 
center  of  the  grassy  space  on  which  Blake  row  fronts  a  temporary  and  vzxy 
appropriate  brick  vault  had  been  erected.  The  casket  was  removed 
from  the  hearse  and  placed  in  the  vault.  The  vault  was  then  locked  up 
and  a  company  of  marines  fired  three  volleys,  and  a  bugler  sounded 
taps.  I  then  thanked  Admiral  Sands  and  said  that  my  duties  were 
ended  so  far  as  I  knew  and  subject  only  to  any  further  orders  he  might 
have  for  me.  Admiral  Sands  had  no  further  orders  to  give  me.  The 
senior  officers  then  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  Rear- Admiral  Sands, 
where  luncheon  was  served.  Other  officers — and  French  officers  were 
included  in  both  cases — were  entertained  at  the  officers'  mess. 

After  thanking  Admiral  Davis  for  his  services  I  informed  him  that 
he  was  free  to  rejoin  the  flag  of  the  commander  in  chief  at  Hampton 
roads.  We  then  returned  to  our  ships  in  Annapolis  roads.  Admiral 
Davis  got  his  division  under  way  at  1.30  p.  m.  on  the  24th,  the  day  of 
the  ceremonies,  and  proceeded  to  Hampton  roads. 

That  evening  I  entertained  the  captain  and  a  delegation  of  officers 
from  the  Jurien  de  la  Graviere  at  dinner  on  board  my  flagship.  They 
returned  to  their  ship  at  10.45  p.  m.  At  11. 15  p.  m.  I  got  the  third 
division  under  way  and  proceeded  down  the  bay  for  Tompkinsville.  We 
passed  out  of  the  bay  at  about  9  a.  m. ,  and  soon  thereafter  set  a  speed 
of  11  knots  for  the  third  division. 

Perhaps  I  should  mention  that  on  the  casket  of  John  Paul  Jones,  when 
it  was  landed  at  Annapolis,  I  placed  his  sword,  lent  me  for  that  purpose 

a  Not  printed. — Compiler. 
7257—07 8 


ii4  Papers  and  Reports 


by  Commander  Nicholson,  of  the  Tacoma.  The  sword  had  been  passed 
down  through  various  channels  until  it  finally  reached  Commander 
Nicholson's  father,  Commodore  Nicholson,  U.  S.  Navy,  by  whom  it  was 
passed  down  to  Commander  Nicholson  himself. 

I  beg  to  state  that,  notwithstanding  various  difficulties  presented  them- 
selves from  time  to  time  during  the  expedition,  all  events  passed  off 
with  great  smoothness  and  harmony.  Officers  and  men  bore  themselves 
with  high  credit  to  the  service. 

The  third  division  anchored  at  Tompkinsville  at  11.45  a-  m-  Jurv  26. 
Very  respectfully, 

C.    D.    SlGSBEE, 
Rear- Admiral,  U.  S.  Navy,  Commander  in  Chief. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 

Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C. 


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PETITION  OF  JOHN  PAUL  FOR  ADMISSION  AS  A  MASON. 

FACSIMILE). 
(Scale,  two-thirds  of  original.) 


III.  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

PETITION  FOR  ADMISSION  AS  A  MASON" 

[From  the  original  at  St.  Mary's  Isle.] 

To  the  Worshipfull ',  the  Master,  Wardens  &  Permanent  Brethren  of  free 
and  accepted  Masons  of  the  Lodge  of  St.  Bernard  held  at  Kirkcud- 
bright. 

The  Petition  of  John  Paul,  Commander  of  the  fohn,  of  Kirkendal, 
Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  Petitioner,  for  a  considerable  time  by-past,  haith  enter- 
tained a  strong  and  sincere  Regaird  for  your  most  noble,  Honourable, 
and  Ancient  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  but  Hitherto  not 
meeting  with  reasonable  opportunity  Do  now  most  Humbly  crave  the 
benefit  of  Receiving  and  Admitting  me  Into  your  fraternity  as  an  Entered 
apprentice,  promising,  assuring  and  engaidging  to  you  That  I  shall  on 
all  Rules  and  Orders  of  your  Lodge  be  most  obsequient  and  observant. 
That  I  shall  in  all  things  Deport,  behave,  and  act  answerable  to  the 
Laws  and  Instructions  of  the  Lodge,  and  in  every  thing  to  which  I 
may  be  made  lyable,  promising  faithful  obedience. 

The  complyance  of  your  Right  Worshipfull  Wardens  and  rest  of  the 
Brethren  will  singularly  oblidge  and  very  much  Honour,  Right  Worship- 
full,  your  most  Humble  Petitioner  and  most  Humble  servant. 

Jno.  Paul. 

I  do  attest  the  Petitioner  to  be  a  good  man  and  a  person  whom  I  have 
no  doubt  will  in  due  time  become  a  worthy  Brother. 

James  Smith. 


"This  paper  is  not  dated.  It  appears  in  the  appended  chronology  that  John  Paul 
commanded  the  John  in  1770  and  that  he  was  entered  as  a  Mason  at  Kirkcudbright 
November  27,  1770.— Compiler. 

115 


LETTER  TO  JOSEPH  HEWES 

[From  autograph  draft  in  the  Library  of  Congress.] 

[Alfred,  New  London,  April  74,  1776."] 
When  I  undertook  to  write  you  an  account  of  our  proceedings  in 
the  Fleet  I  did  not  imagine  that  I  should  have  been  so  stinted  in 
point  of  time — I  owed  you  a  much  earlier  account  but  since  our  arrival 
here  the  repairs  and  Business  of  the  ship  has  required  my  Constant 
attention — I  will  endeavour  to  be  more  punctual  hereafter — in  the  mean- 
while hope  you  will  excuse  this  omission  'till  I  can  account  for  it  per- 
sonally. I  pass  over  what  was  prior  to  our  arrival  at  the  Capes  of 
Delaware — where  we  were  met  by  the  Hornet  sloop  &  Wasp  schooner 
from  Maryland.  On  the  17th  of  Feby  the  Fleet  put  to  sea  with  a  smart 
North  East  Wind,  In  the  Night  of  the  nineteenth  (the  Gale  having 
Increased)  we  lost  Company  with  the  Hornet  and  Fly  Tender.  We 
steered  to  the  Southward  without  seeing  a  single  sail  or  meeting  with 
anything  remarkable  'till  the  first  of  March,  when  we  anchored  at  Abaco 
(one  of  the  Bahamia  Islands)  having  previously  brought  too  a  Couple  of 
New  Providence  sloops  to  take  pilots  out  of  them.  By  these  people  we 
were  informed  that  there  was  a  large  Quantity  of  Powder  with  a  Num- 
ber of  Cannon  in  the  two  Forts  of  New  Providence.  In  Consequence  of 
this  Intelligence  the  Marines  and  Landsmen  to  the  number  of  300  and 
upwards  under  the  commd  of  Captn  Nicholas  were  embarked  in  the  two 
sloops.  It  was  determined  that  they  should  keep  below  Deck  'till  the 
sloops  were  got  in  Close  to  the  Fort — and  they  were  then  to  land 
Instantly  &  take  possession  before  the  Island  could  be  alarmed.  This, 
however,  was  rendered  abortive,  as  the  Forts  Fired  an  alarm  on  the 
approach  of  our  Fleet.  We  then  ran  in  and  anchored  at  a  small  Key  3 
leagues  to  windward  of  the  Town  and  from  thence  the  Commodore  dis- 
patched the  marines  with  the  sloop  Providence  and  schooner  Wasp  to 
Cover  their  Landing.  They  landed  without  opposition  and  soon  took 
possession  of  the  Eastern  Garrison  Ft.  Montague  which  (after  Firing  a 
few  shot)  the  Islanders  abandoned.  The  Next  morning  the  Marines 
marched  for  the  Town  and  were  met  by  a  messenger  from  the  Govr  who 
told  Captn  Nicholas  that  "the  western  Garrison  (Ft.  Nassau)  was  ready 
for  his  reception  and  that  he  might  march  his  Force  in  as  soon  as  he 
pleased."  This  was  effected  without  firing  a  gun  on  our  Side — but  the 
Govr  had  sent  oil  150  barrels  of  Powder  the  Night  before.  Inclosed  you 
have  an  Inventory  of  the  Cannon,   stores    &c  which  we  found,   took 

117 


u8  Letters 


Possession  of,  and  brought  off  in  the  Fleet.  We  Continued  at  N.  Provi- 
dence till  17  th  ulto  and  then  bro't  off  the  Govr  and  two  more  Gentn 
Prisoners.  Our  Course  was  now  directed  back  for  the  Continent  and 
after  meeting  with  much  bad  weather  on  the  5th  Inst  off  Block  Island 
we  took  one  of  Capt.  Wallace's  Tenders  the  Hawke  schooner  of  6  guns — 
and  the  Bomb  Brig  Bolton  of  8  guns  &  2  Howitzers  &c  the  Next  morn* 
we  fell  in  with  the  Glasgow  man  of  war  and  a  Hot  Engagement  Ensued — 
the  particulars  of  which  I  cannot  communicate  better  than  by  extracting 
the  minutes  which  I  entered  in  the  Alfred's  Log  Book  as  Follows — 

At  2  A.  M.  cleared  ship  for  Action.  At  ^  past  do.  the  Cabot  being 
between  us  and  the  Enemy,  began  to  Engage  and  soon  after  we  did 
the  same,  and  maintained  the  Action  5  Glasses;  at  the  third  Glass  the 
enemy  bore  away,  and  by  crowding  sail  at  length  got  a  considerable  way 
ahead  made  Signals  for  the  rest  of  ye  English  Fleet  at  Rhoad  Island  to 
come  to  her  Assistance  &  steered  directly  for  the  Harbour.  The  Com- 
modore then  thought  it  Imprudent  to  Risque  our  Prizes  &c  by  Pursuing 
further  therefore  to  Prevent  our  being  decoyed  into  their  hands  at  % 
past  6  made  the  signal  to  leave  off  Chace  &  hauld  by  the  Wind  to  Join 
our  Prizes.  The  Cabott,  Capt.  Jno.  Hopkins,  was  Disabled  at  the  2d 
broadside.  The  Capt  being  dangerously  Wounded;  the  Mate  and  sev- 
eral Men  killed — the  Enemy's  whole  Fire  was  then  directed  at  us  and 
an  unlucky  shot  having  carried  away  our  Wheel  Block  &  Ropes,  the 
Ship  broached  too  and  this  gave  the  Enemy  opportunity  of  Raking  us 
with  several  Broadsides  before  we  were  again  in  Condition  to  steer  the 
Ship  and  Return  the  Fire.  In  the  Action  we  Received  several  shot 
under  Water  which  made  the  Ship  very  Leaky.  We  had  besides  the 
Mainmast  shot  thro'  and  the  Upperworks  and  Rigging  very  considerably 
damaged.  Yett  it  is  surprising  that  we  only  lost  the  2d  Lieut  of 
Marines  &  4  Men,  one  of  whom,  a  Midshipman  Prisoner  ("Martin 
Gillin water ' ' )  who  was  in  the  Cockpitt  and  had  been  taken  in  the  Bomb 
Brig  Bolton  Yesterday.  We  had  no  more  than  three  men  dangerously 
&  4  slightly  wounded. 

I  leave  you  to  make  the  natural  comments  arising  from  this. 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  assuring  you  that  the  Comm1*  in  Chief  is 
respected  thro'  the  Fleet,  and  I  verily  believe  that  the  officers  and  men 
in  general  would  go  any  length  to  execute  his  orders.  It  is  with  pain 
that  I  Confine  this  plaudit  to  an  individual — I  should  be  happy  in  extend- 
ing it  to  every  Captain  and  officer  in  the  service — Praise  is  certainly  due 
to  some — but  alas!  there  are  Exceptions:  it  is  certainly  for  the  Interest 
of  the  service  that  a  cordial  interchange  of  civilities  should  subsist 
between  Superiour  and  Inferiour  Officers — and  therefore  it  is  bad  policy 
in  Superiours  to  behave  towards  their  inferiours  indiscriminately  as  tho' 
they  were  of  a  lower  species.  Men  of  liberal  Minds  who  have  been  long 
accustomed  to  Command,  can  ill  brook  being  thus  set  at  nought  by 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  119 


others  who  pretend  to  Claim  the  monopoly  of  com.  sense. — the  rude 
ungentle  treatment  which  they  experience  creates  such  heartburnings  as 
are  no  wise  consonant  with,  that  cheerful  ardour  and  spirit  which  ought 
ever  to  be  the  characteristick  of  an  Officer,  and  therefore  whoever  thinks 
himself  hearty  in  the  service  is  widely  mistaken  when  he  adopts  such  a 
line  of  conduct  in  order  to  prove  it — for  to  be  well  obeyed  it  is  necessary 
to  be  esteemed.  The  Fleet  having  been  reinforced  with  200  men  lent 
from  the  Army  is  now  in  condition  for  another  Knterprize  and  we  expect 
to  embrace  the  first  wind  for  Rhode  Island  when  I  hope  we  shall  meet 
with  better  success  as  we  understand  that  the  Scarborough  is  now  there — 
it  is  Proposed  to  clear  the  Ships  at  Rhode  Island  or  Providence  so  that 
our  detention  there  will  admit  of  a  return  of  letters  from  Philadelphia — 
meantime  with  a  grateful  sense  of  past  favors  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with 
much  Esteem 

Sir  Your  very  obliged  most  humble  servant, 

[Jno.  P.  Jones.] 

[Endorsements.] 

B.  Alfred,  New  London,  J.  H[ewes]  14th  April  1776. 

C.  L/V.     Memorandum  of  the  Engagement  with  the  Glasgow. 
In  pencil:   "No.  1  The  Glasgow." 

Jones. 


C apt  Paul  Jones. 

f//rr  r/ rt  *  /&*/// t/t/t/t  t>/*  //t/Att#  Mr  UtfUf/rt///  c 


From  original  in  British  Museum. 


LETTER  TO  ROBERT  MORRIS 

[From  autograph  draft  in  the  library  of  Congress.] 

Providence,  at  Sea  $th  Sepr,  1776. 
Honoured  Sir.  I  herewith  inclose  for  your  inspection  all  the  letters 
and  papers  which  I  found  in  the  Brigantine  Sea  Nymph — for  the 
particulars  of  my  Cruise  hitherto  I  must  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to 
the  within  open  letter  to  the  Marine  Board  which  please  to  lay  before 
them.  I  purpose  to  stand  to  the  southward  in  hopes  of  falling  in  with 
some  ships  which  I  understand  are  now  on  their  Passage  from  Barbados — 
but  at  this  late  season  my  success  is  very  uncertain — I  will,  however, 
ply  about  in  this  meridian  as  long  as  I  think  I  have  any  chance  and  if  I 
fail  at  last  I  can  run  to  the  northward  and  try  for  better  success  among 
the  Fishermen  which  may  answer  no  bad  purpose  by  increasing  the 
Number  of  our  seamen — however  my  cruise  may  terminate.  I  forgot 
not  the  singular  obligation  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Morris  who  promoted  it  for 
my  honor  and  advantage  and  I  esteem  the  Honour  done  me  by  his 
accepting  my  Correspondence  as  the  greatest  favour  I  could  have  aspired 
to.  I  conclude  that  Mr.  Hewes  hath  acquainted  you  with  a  very  great 
misfortune  which  befel  me  some  years  ago  and  which  brought  me  into 
No.  America,  the  best  man  may  soon  become  equally  or  far  more  unfor- 
tunate, therefore  you  will  spare  me  the  pain  of  repeating  it  here.  I  am 
under  no  concern  whatever  that  this  or  any  past  circumstance  of  my  life 
will  sink  me  in  your  opinion  since  human  wisdom  cannot  secure  us  from 
accidents  it  is  the  greatest  effort  of  Reason  to  bear  them  well.  I  will 
from  time  to  time  carefully  communicate  to  you  every  intelligence  in 
my  Power — and  now  ' ' as  the  regulations  of  the  Navy ' '  are  of  the  utmost 
Consequence  you  will  not  think  it  presumptious  if  with  the  utmost  diffi- 
dence I  venture  to  communicate  to  you  such  hints  as  in  my  judgment 
will  promote  its  Honour  and  good  Government — I  could  heartily  wish 
that  every  Commission  Officer  were  to  be  previously  examined — for,  to 
my  certain  knowledge  there  are  persons  who  have  already  crept  into 
Commission — without  abilities  or  fit  Qualification:  I  am  myself  far  from 
deserving  to  be  excused, — from  my  experience  in  Ours  as  well  as  from 
my  former  intimacy  with  many  officers  of  note  in  the  British  Navy,  I 
am  convinced  that  the  Parity  of  Rank  between  sea  and  land  or  marine 
officers,  is  of  more  consequence  to  the  harmony  of  the  service  than  hath 
generally  been  imagined,  in  the  British  Establishment — an  Admiral 
ranks  with  a  Genl.,  a  Vice  Adml.  with  a  Lieut.  Genl.,  a  Rear  Admiral 
with  a  Major  Genl.,  a  Commodore  with  a  Brigadier  Genl.,  a  Captain 
with  a  Colonel,  a  Master  &  Comdr  with  a  Lieut.  Colonel,  a  Lieut. 
Commanding  with  a  Major,  and  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Navy  ranks  with  a 


122  Letters 


Captain  of  Horse,  Foot  or  Marines.  I  propose  not  our  Enemies  as  an 
example  for  our  Genl  imitation,  yet  as  their  navy  is  the  best  regulated 
of  any  in  the  world  we  must  in  some  degree  imitate  them  and  aim  at 
such  further  improvement  as  may  one  day  make  ours  Vie  with  and 
Exceed  theirs.  Were  this  Regulation  to  take  place  in  our  Navy  it  would 
prevent  numberless  disputes  and  duellings  which  otherwise  will  be  una- 
voidable besides  Sir  you  know  very  well  that  marine  officers  being  utterly 
unacquainted  with  Maratime  affairs  and  in  those  cases  unfit  persons  to 
preside  at  or  Compose  half  the  member  of  a  Court  Martial.  I  beg 
pardon  for  this  liberty.  I  thought  that  such  hints  might  escape  your 
memory  in  the  Multiplicity  of  business.  I  have  always  understood  that 
the  sentence  of  a  Court  Martial  when  confirmed  by  a  Commander  in 
Chief  is  definitive  and  admitted  of  no  appeal — So  from  this  I  must  again 
recur  to  English  authority  in  the  Case  of  Lord  George  G.  Sackville  who 
for  disobeying  the  orders  of  Prince  Ferdinand  at  the  Battle  of  Minden 
was  by  a  Court  Martial  held  at  the  Horse  Guards  rendered  incapable  of 
serving  afterwards  in  any  Military  capacity  although  his  great  abilities 
were  then  well  known  and  are  generally  acknowledged  at  this  day.  I 
am  led  into  this  subject  by  hearing  with  astonishment  the  application 
and  complaint  of  the  late  Captn  Hazard  to  the  Marine  Board  after  he 
had  been  found  "unworthy  of  Bearing  his  Commission  in  the  Navy," 
by  the  undivided  voice  of  a  Court  Martial  where  I  had  the  honor  to  sit 
as  a  Member.  If  he  was  then  unworthy  of  bearing  his  Commission  I 
cannot  see  what  new  merit  he  can  have  acquired  and  even  if  he  had 
merit  it  would  not  be  sound  policy  to  reverse  the  sentence.  It  would 
make  officers  stand  less  in  awe  and  attend  less  punctually  to  their  duty 
and  it  is  not  impossible  that  it  might  induce  future  court  martials  in 
some  cases  to  inflict  personal  punishment  from  whence  there  is  no  appeal. 
There  was  a  mistake  made  in  the  date  of  my  Commission  which  unless 
you  stand  my  friend  will  make  a  material  difference  when  the  Navy 
Rank  is  settled — I  took  command  here  the  tenth  day  of  May  as  appears 
by  the  order  and  appointment  of  the  Comr.  in  Chief  on  the  Back  of  my 
Commission  as  Eldest  lieutenant  of  the  Fleet,  and  my  Commission  as 
Captain  is  not  dated  'till  the  8th  day  of  August  which  you  know  is  not 
fair  as  it  would  subject  me  to  be  superseded  by  Captain  Roberson 
[Robinson]  who  was  at  first  my  junior  officer  by  six — perhaps  it  might 
subject  me  to  be  superseded  by  others.  If  I  have  deserved  so  ill  as  to 
be  superseded  I  am  unworthy  of  bearing  my  Commission.  I  esteem  it  a 
greater  disgrace  and  severer  punishment  than  to  be  fairly  broke  and 
dismissed  the  service.  I  have  ordered  Mr  Hopkins  the  prize  master  to 
deliver  to  you  a  Turtle  which  please  to  accept.  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
with  Greatful  Esteem  and  much  respect, 

Honoured  Sir  your  very  obliged  and  very  Obedient  Humble  Servt. 

j.  p.  j. 

The  Honl.  Robt.  Morris,  P^sq. 


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LETTER  TO  THE  COUNTESS  OF  SELKIRK 

[From  the  original  at  St.  Mary's  Isle.] 

Rangkr.     Brest,  8th  May,  1778. 

Madam.  It  cannot  be  too  much  lamented  that  in  the  profession  of 
arms,  the  Officer  of  fine  feelings,  and  of  real  Sensibility,  should  be 
under  the  necessity  of  winking  at  any  Action  of  Persons  under  his 
command  which  his  heart  can  not  approve: — but  the  reflection  is  doubly 
severe  when  he  finds  himself  obliged  in  appearance  to  countenance  such 
Action  by  his  Authority. 

This  hard  case  was  mine,  when  on  the  23rd  of  April  last  I  landed  on 
St.  Mary's  Isle.  Knowing  L,ord  Selkirk's  intrest  with  his  King,  and 
esteeming  as  I  do  his  private  Character,  I  wished  to  make  him  the  happy 
Instrument  of  alleviating  the  horrors  of  hopeless  captivity,  when  the 
brave  are  overpowered  and  made  Prisoners  of  War.  It  was  perhaps 
fortunate  for  you,  Madam,  that  he  was  from  home,  for  it  was  my  inten- 
tion to  have  taken  him  on  board  the  Ranger,  and  to  have  detained  him 
until  thro'  his  means,  a  general  and  fair  Exchange  of  Prisoners  as  well 
in  Europe  as  in  America  had  been  effected.  When  I  was  informed  by 
some  men  whom  I  met  at  landing,  that  his  Lordship  was  absent,  I 
walked  back  to  my  Boat,  determining  to  leave  the  Island:  by  the  way 
however,  some  Officers  who  were  with  me,  could  not  forbear  expressing 
their  discontent,  observing  that  in  America  no  delicacy  was  shewn  by 
the  English,  who  took  away  all  sorts  of  movable  property,  setting  Fire 
not  only  to  Towns  and  to  the  houses  of  the  rich,  without  distinction, 
but  not  even  sparing  the  wretched  hamlets  and  Milch  cows  of  the  poor 
and  helpless  at  the  approach  of  an  inclement  Winter.  That  party  had 
been  with  me  as  Volunteers  the  same  morning  at  Whitehaven;  some 
complaisance  therefore,  was  their  due: — I  had  but  a  moment  to  think 
how  I  might  gratify  them,  and  at  the  same  time  do  your  Ladyship  the 
least  Injury.  I  charged  the  Two  Officers  to  permit  none  of  the  Seamen 
to  enter  the  House,  or  to  hurt  any  thing  about  it.  To  treat  you  Madam, 
with  the  utmost  Respect,  to  accept  of  the  plate  which  was  offered,  and 
to  come  away  without  making  a  search  or  demanding  anything  else.  I 
am  induced  to  believe  that  I  was  punctually  obeyed;  since  I  am  informed 
that  the  Plate  which  they  brought  away  is  far  short  of  the  quantity 
expressed  in  the  inventory  which  accompanied  it,  I  have  gratified  my 
Men;  and  when  the  Plate  is  sold,  I  shall  become  the  Purchaser,  and  will 
gratify  my  ow?i  feelings  by  restoring  it  to  you,  by  such  conveyance  as 

you  shall  please  to  direct. 

123 


124  Letters 


Had  the  Karl  been  on  board  the  Ranger  the  following  Evening,  he 
would  have  seen  the  awful  Pomp  and  dreadful  Carnage  of  a  Sea  Engage- 
ment: both  affording  ample  subject  for  the  Pencil,  as  well  as  melancholy 
reflection  for  the  contemplative  mind.  Humanity  starts  back  from  such 
Scenes  of  Horror,  and  cannot  but  execrate  the  Vile  Promotors  of  this 
detested  War. 

For  They,  t'was  They  unsheath'd  the  ruthless  blade, 
And  Heav'n  shall  ask  the'Havock  it  has  made. 

The  British  Ship  of  War  Drake,  mounting  20  guns,  with  more  than 
her  full  compliment  of  Officers  and  Men,  besides  a  number  of  Volunteers, 
came  out  from  Carrackfergus,  in  order  to  attack  and  take  the  American 
Continental  Ship  of  War  Ranger,  of  18  Guns,  and  short  of  her  compli- 
ment of  Officers  and  Men.  The  Ships  met,  and  the  advantage  was  dis- 
puted with  great  Fortitude  on  each  side  for  an  Hour  and  Five  minutes, 
when  the  Gallant  Commander  of  the  Drake  fell,  and  Victory  declared  in 
favour  of  the  Ranger.  His  aimiable  Lieutenant  lay  mortally  wounded, 
besides  near  Forty  of  the  inferior  Officers  and  Crew  killed  and  wounded. 
A  melancholy  demonstration  of  the  uncertainty  of  human  prospects ;  and 
of  the  sad  reverse  of  Fortune  which  an  Hour  can  produce.  I  buryed  them 
in  a  spacious  Grave,  with  the  Honors  due  to  the  Memory  of  the  Brave. 

Tho'  I  have  drawn  my  Sword  in  the  present  generous  Struggle  for  the 
rights  of  Men,  yet  I  am  not  in  Arms  as  an  American,  nor  am  I  in  pur- 
suit of  Riches.  My  Fortune  is  liberal  enough,  having  no  Wife  nor 
Family,  and  having  lived  long  enough  to  Know  that  Riches  cannot 
insure  Happiness.  I  profess  myself  a  Citizen  of  the  World,  totally 
unfettered  by  the  little  mean  distinctions  of  Climate  or  of  Country,  which 
diminish  the  benevolence  of  the  Heart  and  set  bounds  to  Philantropy. 
Before  this  War  began,  I  had,  at  an  early  time  of  Life,  withdrawn  from  the 
Sea  service,  in  favour  of  "calm  contemplation  and  Poetic  ease,"  I  have 
sacrificed  not  only  my  favourite  scheme  of  Life,  but  the  softer  Affections 
of  the  Heart,  and  my  Prospects  of  Domestic  Happiness,  and  I  am  ready 
to  sacrifice  my  Life  also  with  cheerfulness,  if  that  forfeiture  could  restore 
Peace  and  good  will  among  Mankind. 

As  the  feelings  of  your  gentle  Bosom  cannot  but  be  congenial  with 
mine,  let  me  entreat  you  Madam,  to  use  your  soft  persuasive  Arts  with 
your  Husband,  to  endeavour  to  stop  this  Cruel  and  destructive  War,  in 
which  Britain  never  can  succeed.  Heaven  can  never  countenance  the 
barbarous  and  unmanly  Practices  of  the  Britons  in  America,  which  Sav- 
ages would  blush  at,  and  which  if  not  discontinued  will  soon  be  retaliated 
in  Britain  by  a  justly  enraged  People.  Should  you  fail  in  this,  (for  I  am 
persuaded  that  you  will  attempt  it ;  and  who  can  resist  the  power  of 
such  an  Advocate?)  Your  endeavours  to  effect  a  general  Exchange  of 
Prisoners,  will  be  an  Act  of  Humanity,  which  will  afford  you  Golden 
Feelings  on  a  Death  bed. 


John    Paul  Jo  71  es    Commemoration  125 


I  hope  this  cruel  contest  will  soon  be  closed ;  but  should  it  continue, 
I  wage  no  War  with  the  Fair.  I  acknowledge  their  Power,  and  bend 
before  it  with  profound  Submission ;  let  not  therefore  the  Aimable 
Countess  of  Selkirk  regard  me  as  an  Enemy ;  I  am  ambitious  of  her 
Esteem  and  Friendship,  and  would  do  anything  consistent  with  my  duty 
to  merit  it. 

The  honor  of  a  Line  from  your  hand  in  answer  to  this  will  lay  me 
under  a  very  singular  Obligation ;  and  if  I  can  render  you  any  accept- 
able service  in  France,  or  elsewhere,  I  hope  you  see  into  my  character 
so  far  as  to  command  me  without  the  least  grain  of  reserve. 

I  wish  to  know  exactly  the  behaviour  of  my  People,  as  I  determine  to 
punish  them  if  they  have  exceeded  their  Liberty . 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  much  esteem  and  with  profound  Respect, 
Madam. 

Your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 

Jno.  P.  Jones. 


LETTER  FROM  LORD  SELKIRK" 

[From  the  original  at  St.  Mary's  Isle.] 

Monsieur  J.  P.  Jones, 

Capitaine  du  Vaisseau  Americain,  Le  Ranger,  a  Brest. 

Dumfries,  June  pth,  ijj8. 
Sir.  The  letter  you  wrote  to  Lady  Selkirk  of  the  8th  of  May  from 
Brest,  and  enclosed  to  Lord  Le  Despencer,  he  was  so  good  as  to  for- 
ward, and  it  came  to  hand  t'other  day,  as  also  it's  duplicate  by  common 
post.  It  was  matter  of  surprise  both  to  my  Wife  and  to  me,  as  no 
apology  was  expected  for  your  landing  from  your  Privateer  at  St.  Mary's 
Isle  on  the  23rd  of  April,  but  as  the  letter  is  polite,  and  you  seem  very 
anxious  for  an  answer,  I  shall  therefore  transmit  this  unsealed  to  Lord 
Le  Despencer,  who,  as  I  have  the  honour  to  be  well  acquainted  with 
him,  will  I  hope  excuse  my  giving  him  this  trouble,  and  his  Lordship, 
as  Post  Master  General  will  judge  whether  or  not  it  is  proper  to  be 
forwarded  to  you,  as  a  letter  by  common  post  would  certainly  be  stopped 
at  the  London  Office.  Your  lamenting  the  necessity  of  these  things  in 
the  Profession  of  Arms,  and  of  being  obliged  to  gratify  your  Officers  by 
permitting  them  to  go  to  my  house,  and  carry  off  some  plate,  and  your 
expressing  the  great  sensibility  of  your  feelings  at  what  your  heart  can- 
not approve,  are  things  which  we,  who  have  no  knowledge  of  you,  nor 
your  character  but  by  report,  can  form  no  proper  judgement  of,  but  must 
leave  to  your  own  Conscience,  and  to  the  Almighty  Judge  of  the  real 
motives  of  all  actions.  You  certainly  are  in  the  right,  Sir,  in  saying 
that  it  was  fortunate  for  Lady  Selkirk,  that  I  was  from  home,  as  you 
intended  to  carry  me  off  and  detain  me  prisoner,  for  had  that  happened, 
I  dread  what  might  have  been  its  effect  on  my  Wife,  then  well  advanced 
in  her  pregnancy.  I  own  I  do  not  understand  how  a  man  of  Sensibility 
to  fine  feelings  could  reconcile  this  to  what  his  heart  approved,  espe- 
cially as  the  carrying  me  off  could  have  no  possible  effect  for  the  purpose 
you  mention,  which  you  say  was,  "knowing  my  interest  with  the  King, 
your  intention  was  to  detain  me,  until  through  my  means,  a  general  and 
fair  exchange  of  prisoners,  as  well  in  Europe  as  in  America  had  been 
effected,"  Now  Sir  nothing  can  be  more  erroneous  than  these  ideas,  for 
I  have  no  interest  whatever  with  the  King,  and  am  scarce  known  to 
him,  being  very  seldom  in  London,  scarce  six  months  in  whole,  during 
these  last  one  and  twenty  years.  With  regard  to  the  King's  Ministers, 
I  neither  have  nor  can  have  any  interest  with  them,  as  I  have  generally 

a  This  letter  was   inclosed  to  Lord   Despencer  and    by  him   returned   to   Lord 
Selkirk. — Compiler. 

127 


128  Letters 


disapproved  of  most  of  their  measures,  and  in  particular  of  almost  their 
whole  conduct  in  the  unhappy  and  illjudged  American  War.  And  as  to 
a  general  exchange  of  Prisoners  being  effected  through  my  means,  I  am 
altogether  at  a  loss  how  any  man  of  sense  could  entertain  such  an  Idea. 
I  am  neither  a  Military  nor  a  Ministerial  man.  I  neither  have  nor  ever 
had  a  Ministerial  Office,  Imployment,  or  Pension,  nor  any  connection 
with  Administration,  nor  am  I  in  Parliament,  and  except  having  the 
disadvantage  of  a  useless  Scotch  Title,  I  am  in  all  respects  as  much  a 
Private  Country  Gentleman,  as  any  one  can  be,  living  a  retired  life  in 
the  country,  and  engaging  in  no  factions  whatever.  How  then  would 
it  have  been  possible  for  such  a  man  to  effect  a  general  exchange  of 
Prisoners?  when  so  many  men  of  great  Power  and  Influence  in  both 
Houses  of  Parliament  have  not  been  able  to  bring  it  about.  You  must 
therefore  be  sensible  on  reflection  Sir,  that  you  proceeded  on  a  very 
improper  and  mistaken  notion,  and  that  had  your  attempt  succeeded, 
it's  only  effect  would  have  been  to  distress  a  family  that  never  injured 
any  person,  and  whose  wishes  have  certainly  been  very  friendly  to  the 
Constitutions  and  Just  Liberties  of  America.  You  exclaim  on  the  bar- 
barities committed  in  America,  and  say  they  will  be  retaliated  in  Britain 
if  not  discontinued,  I  have  always  been  extremely  sorry  at  the  accouuts 
of  these  things,  no  man  can  be  a  greater  enemy  to  all  ungenerous 
inhumanities  in  War  than  I  am.  God  knows  best  which  side  began 
those  things,  and  which  has  most  to  account  for,  but  it  is  certainly  the 
general  opinion  in  Britain,  that  the  Americans  began  the  unusual  and 
cruel  practice  complained  of,  and  first  against  their  own  country  men 
who  adhered  to  the  British  Government.  In  your  letter  you  profess 
yourself  a  Citizen  of  the  World,  and  that  you  have  drawn  your  Sword 
in  support  of  the  Rights  of  Man,  yet  you  say  you  are  not  in  arms  as  an 
American,  nor  in  pursuit  of  Riches.  If  you  are  not  in  arms  as  an 
American,  I  do  not  understand  in  what  character  you  act,  and  unless 
you  have  an  American  Commission,  I  doubt  the  Laws  of  War  and  of 
Nations  would  not  be  very  favourable  to  you  as  a  citizen  of  the  World, 
which  however  ought  to  be  a  very  honourable  character,  and  you  will 
do  well  to  endeavour  to  act  up  to  the  humanity  and  honour  of  it.  Con- 
sider then  Sir,  the  impropriety  and  danger  to  the  common  Interests,  and 
happiness  of  Society,  in  your  departing  from  the  established  and  usual 
practice  of  Modern  War.  Nothing  does  more  honour  to  Mankind,  than 
the  generous  humanity  and  mildness  introduced  in  War  of  late  ages, 
through  all  the  best  civilized  parts  of  Europe,  and  it's  violation  is  always 
disapproved  of  and  generally  resented  by  the  Ministers  of  every  State. 
I  am  therefore  pursuaded  that  neither  the  French  Government  nor  the 
Congress  would  have  countenanced  your  carrying  me  off,  nor  would 
have  permitted  me  to  be  detained.  Their  own  coasts  are  as  much 
exposed  to  such  enterprises  as  our's,  and  they  will  not  wish  to  intro- 
duce  such  things   into   the   practice  of   War,   as   can    have  no  effect 


John    Pa  til  Jones    Commemoration  129 


upon  the  great  and  general  operations  of  it,  but  would  only  add  to  its 
calamities.  It  was  certainly  fortunate  both  for  Lady  Selkirk  and  me, 
that  I  was  from  home,  and  it  was  also  fortunate  for  you  Sir,  that  your 
Officers  and  Men  behaved  well,  for  had  any  of  my  family  suffered  out- 
rage, murder  or  violence,  no  quarter  of  the  Globe  should  have  secured 
you  nor  even  some  of  those  under  whose  commission  you  act,  from  my 
vengeance.  But  Sir,  I  am  happy  that  their  welfare  enables  me  to  inform 
you,  that  the  Orders  you  mention  in  your  letter  were  punctually  obeyed 
by  your  two  Officers  and  Men,  who  in  every  respect  behaved  as  well  as 
could  be  expected  on  such  an  occasion.  All  the  men  remained  on  the 
outside  of  the  house,  were  civil,  and  did  no  injury,  the  two  officers 
alone  came  within,  and  behaved  with  civility,  and  we  were  all  sorry  to 
hear  afterwards  that  the  younger  officer  in  green  uniform  was  killed  in 
your  engagement  with  the  Drake,  for  he  in  particular  showed  so  much 
civility,  and  so  apparent  a  dislike  at  the  bussiness  he  was  then  on,  that  . 
it  is  surprising  how  he  should  have  been  one  of  the  proposers  of  it. 
What  you  mention  is  certainly  so,  that  some  of  the  Plate  was  left,  but 
that  was  contrary  to  Lady  Selkirk  intention  and  to  her  orders,  but 
happened  partly  by  accident,  confusion  and  hurry,  and  partly  by  the 
improper  inclinations  of  some  servants,  for  which  they  were  severely 
reprimanded  afterwards.  So  much  was  it  countrary  to  Lady  Selkirk's 
intentions,  that  she,  having  met  a  servant  carrying  some  Plate  out  of 
the  way,  ordered  it  instantly  to  be  taken  back  and  given  up,  and  indeed 
her  giving  the  inventory  along  with  it,  tho'  not  asked  for,  proves  that  . 
she  meant  it  all  to  go,  as  the  inventory  would  only  serve  to  show,  what 
she  would  not  have  inclined  to  be  known,  had  she  intended  or  believed 
any  was  left,  and  indeed  had  your  Officers  taken  time  to  examine  it, 
they  would  have  got  all,  by  means  of  the  inventory,  but  the  only  thing 
they  observed  wanting  was  a  tea  pot  and  coffee  pot,  and  on  mentioning 
it,  the  servant  immediately  brought  them.  This  circumstance  however, 
proves  also  what  I  have  pleasure  in  acknowledging,  that  your  Officers 
obeyed  your  orders  in  making  no  search,  for  which  Sir  you  are  entitled 
to  our  thanks  and  I  ;most  willingly  give  them.  Tho'  you  say  nothing 
improper  about  what  was  left,  nor  can-  Lady  Selkirk  be  thought  at  all 
accountable  for  it,  yet  she  chuses  these  things  to  be  mentioned,  as  she 
said  to  your  Officers  she  believed  it  was  all  delivered,  and  she  would  be 
sorry  if  any  person  whatever  should  believe  her  capable  of  deceit.  The 
little  Plate  that  was  left,  will  seem  greater  by  the  inventory  than  it  was 
in  reality,  for  the  six  candle  sticks  left,  two  are  of  a  very  small  old 
fashioned  kind,  that  belonged  to  Lady  Selkirk's  Grandmother,  and  are 
not  one  third  of  the  weight  of  those  now  in  fashion,  the  other  two  are 
little  flat  trifles,  made  exceeding  small,  for  the  purpose  of  standing  in  a 
cabinet  for  the  purpose  of  sealing  letters,  the  tea  spoons  and  also  some 
spoons  of  an  inferior  make,  used  at  the  housekeeper's  table,  by  not 
7257—07 9 


130  Letters 


being  keeped  in  the  Butler's  Pantry  were  forgot,  together  with  some 
other  very  small  things  of  little  value,  all  the  large  things  left  were  of 
the  Birmingham  plated  kind.  Your  genteel  offer  Sir,  of  returning  the 
Plate  is  very  polite  but  at  the  same  time  neither  Lady  Selkirk  nor  I  can 
think  of  accepting  of  it,  as  you  must  purchase  it  you  say  for  that  pur- 
pose, but  if  your  delicacy  makes  you  unwilling  to  keep  that  share  of  its 
value  which  as  Captain  you  are  entitled  to,  without  purchasing,  I  would 
in  that  case  wish  that  part  to  be  given  to  those  private  men  who  were  on 
the  party,  as  an  encouragement  for  their  good  behaviour.  You  Sir, 
are  intitled  to  what  is  more  honorable,  viz:  The  Praise  of  having  your 
men  under  good  discipline,  which  on  all  occasions  I  take  care  to  make 
known.  There  is  one  thing  not  so  agreeable,  as  it  must  put  me  to  con- 
siderable inconvenience,  it  seems  the  people  you  sent  away  from  the 
Ranger,  after  taking  the  Drake,  have  reported,  that  you  have  said,  "You 
were  still  determined  to  take  me  Prisoner,  and  would  do  so  within  a  few 
months."  As  to  my  own  personal  danger,  I  have  no  apprehension 
about  it,  but  Justice  to  my  Wife  and  Children  makes  it  necessary  to 
remove  myself  and  family  to  a  more  inland  situation.  Thus  your 
illjudged  and  useless  intention  whilst  it  can  do  no  good  to  you,  nor  be 
of  any  service  to  those  in  captivity,  serves  only  to  deprive  my  family 
and  me  of  our  country  residence.  Were  there  anything  in  my  power 
for  the  procuring  of  an  exchange  of  Prisoners,  God  knows  I  would 
most  willingly  do  it,  for  I  all  along  thought  the  refusing  it  both  unjust 
and  an  impolitic  measure,  and  which  I  still  think  will  prove  useless  and 
will  have  to  be  departed  from.  Though  your  letter  is  wrote  like  a  man 
who  means  well,  and  who  wishes  to  be  considered  a  man  of  honour,  yet 
some  people  in  this  Country  who  say  they  know  you,  (tho'  I  do  not 
think  it  certain  you  are  the  person  they  mean)  laugh  at  your  saying  you 
are  not  in  pursuit  of  Riches,  and  at  your  intention  of  taking  me  for  the 
purpose  of  a  general  exchange  of  Prisoners.  They  say  3'our  design 
must  have  been  a  Ransom,  and  that  your  offer  of  returning  the  Plate 
is  only  a  snare,  to  put  me  off  my  guard.  But  as  I  chanced  to  be  entirely 
ignorant  of  you  and  your  character,  till  your  enterprise  on  the  23rd  of 
April,  I  have  therefore  nothing  certain  to  judge  by  but  your  behaviour, 
then,  and  since,  and  as  that  has  in  so  far  as  regarded  my  Family,  been 
genteel,  and  though  your  intention  of  taking  me  was  certainly  absurd, 
yet  as  it  was  so  from  mistake  I  therefore  will  not  allow  myself  to  think 
with  those  people,  that  a  man  who  professes  honorable  sentiments,  and 
is  acting  under  an  honorable  commission  for  what  he  thinks  is  support- 
ing the  Rights  of  Mankind,  would  for  the  sake  of  a  pitiful  Ransom 
degrade  himself  to  the  low  and  vile  character  of  a  Barbary  Pirate, 
which  would  be  the  case  if  these  people  were  right  in  the  opinion  they 
give,  but  I  chuse  to  judge  more  favourably  of  you,  and  am  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

Selkirk. 


LETTER  FROM  LORD  SELKIRK 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT   OF   RETURN   OF  SILVER 

[From  contemporary  copy  in  library  of  Congress.] 

London,  4th  August,  1785. 
Sir.  I  received  the  letter  you  wrote  to  me,  at  the  time  you  sent  off 
my  plate,  in  order  for  restoring  it.  Had  I  known  where  to  direct  a 
letter  to  you  at  the  time  it  arrived  in  Scotland,  I  would  have  then 
wrote  to  you,  but  not  knowing  it,  nor  finding  that  any  of  my  acquaint- 
ance at  Edinburgh  knew  it,  I  was  obliged  to  delay  writing  till  I  came 
here,  when  by  means  of  a  gentleman  connected  with  America,  I  was  told 
Mr  Le  Grand  was  your  banker  at  Paris,  and  would  take  proper  care  of  a 
letter  for  you,  therefore  I  inclose  this  to  him.  Notwithstanding  all  the 
precautions  you  took  for  the  easy  and  uninterrupted  conveyance  of  the 
plate,  yet  it  met  with  considerable  delays,  first  at  Calais,  next  at  Dover, 
then  at  London.  However  it  at  last  arrived  at  Dumfries,  and  I  daresay 
quite  safe,  though  as  yet  I  have  not  seen  it,  being  then  at  Edinburgh. 
I  intended  to  have  put  an  article  in  the  newspapers  about  your  having 
returned  it,  but  before  I  was  informed  of  its  being  arrived,  some  of  your 
friends,  I  suppose,  had  put  it  in  the  Dumfries  newspaper,  whence  it  was 
immediately  copied  into  the  Edinburgh  papers,  and  thence  into  the  Lon- 
don ones.  Since  that  time  I  have  mentioned  it  to  many  people  of  fash- 
ion, and  on  all  occasions,  Sir,  both  now  and  formerly,  I  have  done  you 
the  justice  to  tell,  that  you  made  an  offer  of  returning  the  plate,  very 
soon  after  your  return  to  Brest,  and  although  you,  yourself  was  not  at 
my  house,  but  remaining  at  the  shore  with  your  boat,  that  yet  you  had 
your  officers  and  men  in  such  extraordinary  good  discipline,  that  you 
having  given  them  the  strictest  orders  to  behave  well,  to  do  no  injury  of 
any  kind,  to  make  no  search,  but  only  to  bring  off  what  plate  was  given 
them,  that  in  reality  they  did  exactly  as  ordered,  and  that  not  one  man 
offered  to  stir  from  his  post  on  the  outside  of  the  house,  nor  entered  the 
doors,  nor  said  an  uncivil  word,  that  the  two  officers  stood  not  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  in  the  parlour  and  butler's  pantry,  while  the  butler  got  the 
plate  together,  behaved  politely,  and  asked  for  nothing  but  the  plate, 
and  instantly  marched  their  men  off  in  regular  order,  and  that  both 
officers  and  men  behaved  in  all  respects  so  well  that  it  would  have  done 

131 


132  Letters 


credit  to  the  best  disciplined  troops  what  ever.  Some  of  the  English 
newspapers  at  that  time  having  put  in  confused  accounts  of  your  expe- 
dition to  Whitehaven,  and  Scotland,  I  ordered  a  proper  one  of  what 
happened  in  Scotland,  to  be  put  in  the  London  newspapers  by  a  gentle- 
man who  was  then  at  my  house,  by  which  the  good  conduct  and  civil 
behaviour  of  your  officers  and  men  was  done  justice  to,  and  attributed 
to  your  orders,  and  the  good  discipline  you  maintained  over  your  people. 
I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  humble  servant, 

Selkirk. 


REPORT  OP  JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

CRUISE  OF   THE   U.  S.  SHIP   RANGER   AND   CAPTURE   OF 
H.  B.  M.  S.  DRAKE 

[From  the  original  draft  in  John  Paul  Jones's  letter-book  at  U.  S.  Naval  Academy.] 

Brest,  May  27,  1778. 

Gentlemen,  I  now  fulfil  the  promise  made  in  my  last,  by  giving 
you  an  account  of  my  late  expedition. 

I  sailed  from  Brest  10th  of  April.  My  plan  was  extensive.  I  there- 
fore did  not,  at  the  beginning,  wish  to  encumber  myself  with  prisoners. 
On  the  14th  I  took  a  brigantine  between  Scylla  and  Cape  Clear,  bound 
from  Ostend  with  a  cargo  of  flaxseed  for  Ireland,  sunk  her,  and  pro- 
ceeded into  St.  George's  Channel.  On  the  17th  I  took  the  ship  Lord 
Chatham,  bound  from  London  to  Dublin,  with  a  cargo  consisting  of 
porter  and  a  variety  of  merchandize,  and  almost  within  sight  of  her 
port;  the  ship  I  manned  and  ordered  for  Brest.  Towards  the  evening 
of  the  day  following,  the  weather  had  a  promising  appearance,  and  the 
winds  being  favorable,  I  stood  over  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  with  an  inten- 
tion to  make  a  descent  at  Whitehaven.  At  10  o'clock,  I  was  off  the 
harbor  with  a  party  of  volunteers,  and  had  everything  in  readiness  to 
land,  but,  before  eleven,  the  wind  greatly  increased,  and  shifted  so  as  to 
blow  directly  upon  the  shore;  the  sea  increased  of  course,  and  it  became 
impossible  to  effect  a  landing.  This  obliged  me  to  carry  all  possible 
sail,  so  as  to  clear  the  land,  and  to  await  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 
On  the  1 8th,  in  Glenbue  Bay,  on  the  south  coast  of  Scotland,  I  met 
with  a  revenue  wherry;  it  being  the  common  practice  of  these  vessels 
to  board  merchant  ships,  and  the  Ranger  then  having  no  external 
appearance  of  war,  it  was  expected  that  this  rover  would  have  come 
alongside.  I  was,  however,  mistaken,  for,  though  the  men  were  at  their 
quarters,  yet  this  vessel  outsailed  the  Ranger,  and  got  clear,  in  spite  of 
a  severe  cannonade. 

The  next  morning,  off  the  Mull  of  Galloway,  I  found  myself  so  near 
a  Scotch  coasting  schooner,  loaded  with  barley,  that  I  could  not  avoid 
sinking  her.  Understanding  that  10  or  12  sail  of  merchant  ships,  besides 
a  tender  brigantine  with  a  number  of  impressed  men  on  board,  were  at 
anchor  in  L,oughryan  in  Scotland,  I  thought  this  an  enterprise  worthy 
attention,  but  the  wind,  which  at  the  first  would  have  served  equally 
well  to  sail  in  or  out  of  the  Lough,  shifted  in  a  hard  squall  so  as  to  blow 
almost  directly  in,  with  an  appearance  of  bad  weather;  I  was  therefore 
obliged  to  abandon  my  project. 

i33 


134  Letters 


Seeing  a  cutter  off  the  lee-bow  steering  for  the  Clyde,  I  gave  chase  in 
hopes  of  cutting  her  off;  but  finding  my  endeavors  ineffectual,  I  pursued 
no  farther  than  the  rock  of  Ailsa.  In  the  evening  I  fell  in  with  a  sloop 
from  Dublin,  which  I  sunk  to  prevent  intelligence. 

The  next  day,  the  21st,  being  near  Carrickfergus,  a  fishing  boat  came 
off,  which  I  detained.  I  saw  a  ship  at  anchor  in  the  road,  which  I  was 
informed  by  the  fisherman,  was  the  British  ship-of-war  Drake,  of  20 
guns.  I  determined  to  attack  her  in  the  night.  My  plan  was  to  over- 
lay her  cable,  and  to  fall  upon  her  bow,  so  as  to  have  all  her  decks  open, 
and  exposed  to  our  musketry,  &c. ;  at  the  same  time  it  was  my  intention 
to  have  secured  the  enemy  by  graplings,  so  that,  had  they  cut  their 
cables,  they  would  not  thereby  have  attained  an  advantage.  The  wind 
was  high,  and  unfortunately  the  anchor  was  not  let  go  so  soon  as  the 
order  was  given;  so  that  the  Ranger  was  brought  up  on  the  enemy's 
quarter,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  cable's  length.  We  had  made  no 
warlike  appearance,  of  course  had  given  no  alarm;  this  determined  me 
to  cut  immediately,  which  might  appear  as  if  the  cable  had  parted,  and 
at  the  same  time  enabling  me,  after  making  a  tack  out  of  the  Lough,  to 
return  with  the  same  prospect  of  advantage  which  I  had  at  the  first.  I 
was,  however,  prevented  from  returning;  as  I  with  difficulty  weathered 
the  lighthouse  on  the  lee  side  of  the  Lough,  and  as  the  gale  increased. 

The  weather  now  became  so  very  stormy  and  severe,  and  the  sea  so 
high,  that  I  was  obliged  to  take  shelter  under  the  south  shore  of  Scotland. 
The  2 2d  introduced  fair  weather;  though  the  three  kingdoms  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach  were  covered  with  snow.  I  now  resolved  once  more 
to  attempt  Whitehaven;  but  the  wind  became  very  light,  so  that  the 
ship  could  not  in  proper  time  approach  so  near  as  I  had  intended.  At 
midnight  I  left  the  ship,  with  two  boats  and  thirty-one  volunteers. 
When  we  reached  the  outer  pier,  the  day  began  to  dawn.  I  would  not 
however  abandon  my  enterprise;  but  despatched  one  boat  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Hill  and  Lieutenant  Wallingsford,  with  the  necessary 
combustibles,  to  set  fire  to  the  shipping  on  the  north  side  of  the  harbor, 
while  I  went  with  the  other  party  to  attempt  the  south  side.  I  was 
successful  in  scaling  the  walls,  and  spiking  up  all  the  cannon  in  the  first 
fort.  Finding  the  sentinels  shut  up  in  the  guard  house,  secured  them 
without  their  being  hurt.  Having  fixed  sentinels,  I  now  took  with  me 
one  man  only  (Mr.  Green),  and  spiked  all  the  cannon  on  the  southern 
fort;  distant  from  the  other  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

On  my  return  from  this  business,  I  naturally  expected  to  see  the 
fire  of  the  ships  on  the  north  side,  as  well  as  to  find  my  own  party 
with  everything  in  readiness  to  set  fire  to  the  shipping  in  the  south. 
Instead  of  this,  I  found  the  boat  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Hill  and 
Mr.  Wallingsford  returned,  and  the  party  in  some  confusion,  their  light 
having  burnt  out   at  the  instant  when   it  became   necessary.     By  the 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  135 


strangest  fatality  my  own  party  were  in  the  same  situation,  the  candles 
being  all  burnt  out.  The  day  too  came  on  apace;  yet  I  would  by  no 
means  retreat  while  any  hopes  of  success  remained.  Having  again  placed 
sentinels,  a  light  was  obtained  at  a  house  disjoined  from  the  town;  and 
fire  was  kindled  in  the  steerage  of  a  large  ship,  which  was  surrounded 
by  at  least  an  hundred  and  fifty  others,  chiefly  from  two  to  four  hundred 
tons  burthen,  and  laying  side  by  side  aground,  unsurrounded  by  the 
water.  There  were,  besides,  from  seventy  to  an  hundred  large  ships  in 
the  north  arm  of  the  harbor,  aground,  clear  of  the  water,  and  divided 
from  the  rest  only  by  a  stone  pier  of  a  ship's  height.  I  should  have 
kindled  fires  in  other  places  if  the  time  had  permitted.  As  it  did  not, 
our  care  was  to  prevent  the  one  kindled  from  being  easily  extinguished. 
After  some  search  a  barrel  of  tar  was  found,  and  poured  into  the  flames, 
which  now  ascended  from  all  the  hatchways.  The  inhabitants  began  to 
appear  in  thousands;  and  individuals  ran  hastily  towards  us.  I  stood 
between  them  and  the  ship  on  fire,  with  a  pistol  in  my  hand,  and  ordered 
them  to  retire,  which  they  did  with  precipitation.  The  flames  had 
already  caught  the  rigging,  and  began  to  ascend  the  mainmast: — the  sun 
was  a  full  hour's  march  above  the  horizon;  and  as  sleep  no  longer  ruled 
the  world,  it  was  time  to  retire.  We  re-embarked  without  opposition, 
having  released  a  number  of  prisoners,  as  our  boats  could  not  carry 
them.  After  all  my  people  had  embarked,  I  stood  upon  the  pier  for  a 
considerable  time,  yet  no  persons  advanced.  I  saw  all  the  eminences 
around  the  town  covered  with  amazed  inhabitants. 

When  we  had  rowed  a  considerable  distance  from  the  shore,  the 
English  began  to  run  in  vast  numbers  to  their  forts.  Their  disappoint- 
ment may  easily  be  imagined,  when  they  found  at  least  thirty  heavy 
cannon,  the  instruments  of  their  vengeance,  rendered  useless.  At 
length,  however,  they  began  to  fire;  having,  as  I  apprehend,  either 
brought  down  ship's  guns,  or  used  one  or  two  cannon  which  lay  on  the 
beach  at  the  foot  of  the  walls  dismounted,  and  which  had  not  been 
spiked.  They  fired  with  no  direction;  and  the  shot  falling  short  of 
the  boats,  instead  of  doing  us  any  damage,  afforded  some  diversion, 
which  my  people  could  not  help  showing,  by  discharging  their  pistols, 
&c. ,  in  return  of  the  salute.  Had  it  been  possible  to  have  landed  a  few 
hours  sooner,  my  success  would  have  been  complete.  Not  a  single  ship, 
out  of  more  than  two  hundred,  could  possibly  have  escaped,  and  all  the 
world  would  not  have  been  able  to  save  the  town.  What  was  done, 
however,  is  sufficient  to  show  that  not  all  their  boasted  navy  can  protect 
their  own  coasts;  and  that  the  scenes  of  distress  which  they  have  occa- 
sioned in  America  may  be  soon  brought  home  to  their  own  door.  One 
of  my  people  was  missing,  and  must,  I  fear,  have  fallen  into  the  ene- 
mies' hands  after  our  departure.  I  was  pleased  that  in  this  business  we 
neither  killed  nor  wounded  any  person.  I  brought  off  three  prisoners 
as  a  sample. 


136  Letters 


We  now  stood  over  for  the  Scotch  shore;  and  I  landed  at  noon  at  St. 
Mary's  Isle,  with  one  boat,  and  a  very  small  party.  The  motives  which 
induced  me  to  land  there  are  explained  in  the  within  copy  of  a  letter 
which  I  have  addressed  to  the  Countess  of  Selkirk,  dated  the  8th  instant. 

On  the  morning  of  the  24th  I  was  again  off  Carrickfergus,  and  would 
have  gone  in  had  I  not  seen  the  Drake  preparing  to  come  out.  It  was 
very  moderate,  and  the  Drake's  boat  was  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  the 
Ranger.  As  the  boat  advanced  I  kept  the  ship's  stern  directly  towards 
her;  and  though  they  had  a  spy  glass  in  the  boat,  they  came  on  within 
hail,  and  alongside.  When  the  officer  came  on  the  quarterdeck,  he  w7as 
greatly  surprised  to  find  himself  a  prisoner;  although  an  express  had 
arrived  from  Whitehaven  the  night  before.  I  now  understood,  what  I 
had  before  imagined,  that  the  Drake  came  out  in  consequence  of  this 
information  with  volunteers,  against  the  Ranger.  The  officer  told 
me,  also,  they  had  taken  up  the  Ranger's  anchor.  The  Drake  was 
attended  by  five  small  vessels  full  of  people,  who  were  led  by  curiosity 
to  see  an  engagement.  But  when  they  saw  the  Drake's  boat  at  the 
Ranger's  stern  they  wisely  put  back. 

Alarm  smokes  now  appeared  in  great  abundance,  extending  along  on 
both  sides  of  the  channel.  The  tide  was  unfavorable,  so  that  the  Drake 
worked  out  but  slowly.  This  obliged  me  to  run  down  several  times, 
and  to  lay  with  courses  up  and  main-topsail  to  the  mast.  At  length  the 
Drake  weathered  the  point,  and  having  led  her  out  to  about  mid-chan- 
nel, I  suffered  her  to  come  within  hail.  The  Drake  hoisted  English 
colors,  and,  at  the  same  instant,  the  American  stars  were  displayed  on 
board  the  Ranger.  I  expected  that  preface  had  been  now  at  an  end, 
but  the  enemy  soon  after  hailed,  demanding  what  ship  it  was?  I 
directed  the  master  to  answer,  ' '  the  American  Continental  ship  Ranger; 
that  we  waited  for  them,  and  desired  that  they  would  come  on;  the  sun 
was  now  little  more  than  an  hour  from  setting,  it  was  therefore  time  to 
begin."  The  Drake  being  astern  of  the  Ranger,  I  ordered  the  helm  up 
and  gave  the  first  broadside.  The  action  was  warm,  close,  and  obstin- 
ate. It  lasted  an  hour  and  four  minutes,  when  the  enemy  called  for 
quarter;  her  fore  and  main-topsail  yards  being  both  cut  away,  and  down 
on  the  cap;  the  top-gallant  yard  and  mizen-gaff  both  hanging  up  and 
down  along  the  mast;  the  second  ensign  which  they  had  hoisted  shot 
away,  and  hanging  on  the  quarter-gallery  in  the  water;  the  jib  shot 
away,  and  hanging  in  the  water;  her  sails  and  rigging  entirely  cut  to 
pieces;  her  masts  and  yard  all  wounded,  and  her  hull  also  very  much 
galled.  I  lost  only  Lieutenant  Wallingsford  and  one  seaman,  John 
Dougall,  killed,  and  six  wounded;  among  whom  are  the  gunner,  Mr. 
Falls,  and  Mr.  Powers,  midshipman,  who  lost  his  arm.  One  of  the 
wounded,  Nathaniel  Wills,  is  since  dead;  the  rest  will  recover.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed  and  wounded  was  far  greater.  All  the  pris- 
oners allow  that  they  came  out  with  a  number  not  less  than  a  hundred 


Joh?i    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  137 


and  sixty  men:  and  many  of  them  affirm  that  they  amounted  to  an  hun- 
dred and  ninety.  The  medium  is  perhaps,  the  most  correct;  and  by  that 
it  will  appear  that  they  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  forty-two  men.  The 
captain  and  lieutenant  were  among  the  wounded.  The  former,  having 
received  a  musket  ball  in  the  head  the  minute  before  they  called  for 
quarters,  lived,  and  was  sensible  some  time  after  my  people  boarded  the 
prize.  The  lieutenant  survived  two  days.  They  were  buried  with  the 
honors  due  to  their  rank,  and  with  the  respect  due  to  their  memory. 

The  night  and  almost  the  whole  day  after  the  action  being  moderate, 
greatly  facilitated  the  refitting  of  both  ships.  A  large  brigantine  was 
so  near  the  Drake  in  the  afternoon  that  I  was  obliged  to  bring  her  to. 
She  belonged  to  Whitehaven,  and  was  bound  for  Norway. 

I  had  thought  of  returning  by  the  south  channel ;  but,  the  wind  shift- 
ing, I  determined  to  pass  by  the  north,  and  round  the  west  coast  of  Ireland. 
This  brought  me  once  more  off  Belfast  Lough,  on  the  evening  after  the 
engagement.  It  was  now  time  to  release  the  honest  fisherman,  whom  I 
took  up  here  on  the  21st,  and  as  the  poor  fellows  had  lost  their  boat,  she 
having  sunk  in  the  late  stormy  weather,  I  was  happy  in  having  it  in  my 
power  to  give  them  the  necessary  sum  to  purchase  everything  new  which 
they  had  lost.  I  gave  them  also  a  good  boat  to  transport  themselves 
ashore ;  and  sent  with  them  two  infirm  men,  on  whom  I  bestowed  the 
last  guinea  in  my  possession,  to  defray  their  travelling  expenses  to  their 
proper  home  in  Dublin.  They  took  with  them  one  of  the  Drake's  sails, 
which  would  sufficiently  explain  what  had  happened  to  the  volunteers. 
The  grateful  fishermen  were  in  raptures;  and  expressed  their  joy  in 
three  huzzas  as  they  passed  the  Ranger' s  quarter. 

I  again  met  with  contrary  winds  in  the  mouth  of  the  North  Channel, 
but  nothing  remarkable  happened,  till  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  cur- 
rent, Ushant  then  bearing  S.  E.  by  S.,  distance  fifteen  leagues,  when 
seeing  a  sail  to  leeward  steering  for  the  Channel,  the  wind  being  favor- 
able for  Brest  and  the  distance  trifling,  I  resolved  to  give  chase,  having 
the  Drake  in  tow.  I  informed  them  of  my  intentions,  and  ordered  them 
to  cast  off.  They  cut  the  hawser.  The  Ranger  in  the  chase  went  lask- 
ing  between  N.  N.  K.  and  N.  N.  W.  It  lasted  an  hour  and  ten  minutes, 
when  the  chase  was  hailed  and  proved  a  Swede.  I  immediately  hauled 
by  the  wind  to  the  southward. 

After  cutting  the  hawser,  the  Drake  went  from  the  wind  for  some 
time,  then  hauled  close  by  the  wind,  steering  from  S.  S.  E.  toS.S.W. 
as  the  wind  permitted,  so  that  when  the  Ranger  spoke  the  chase  the 
Drake  was  scarcely  perceptible.  In  the  course  of  the  day  many  large 
ships  appeared,  steering  into  the  Channel,  but  the  extraordinary  evolu- 
tions of  the  Drake  made  it  impossible  for  me  to  avail  myself  of  these 
favorable  circumstances.  Towards  noon  it  became  very  squally,  the 
wind  backed  from  the  S.  W.  to  the  W.     The  Ranger  had  come  up  with 


138  Letters 


the  Drake,  and  was  nearly  abreast  of  her,  though  considerably  to  the 
leeward  when  the  wind  shifted.  The  Drake  was  however  kept  by  the 
wind,  though,  as  I  afterwards  understood,  they  knew  the  Ranger,  and 
saw  the  signal  which  she  had  hoisted.  After  various  evolutions  and 
signals  in  the  night,  I  gave  chase  to  a  sail  which  appeared  bearing 
S-  S.  W.  the  next  morning  at  a  great  distance.  The  chase  discovered 
no  intention  to  speak  with  the  Ranger ;  she  was,  however,  at  length 
brought  to,  and  proved  to  be  the  Drake.  I  immediately  put  Lieut. 
Simpson  under  suspension  and  arrest,  for  disobedience  of  my  orders, 
dated  the  26th  ult.,  a  copy  whereof  is  here  inclosed.  On  the  8th,  both 
ships  anchored  safe  in  this  Road,  the  Ranger  having  been  absent  only 
twenty-eight  days.  Could  I  suppose  that  my  letters  of  the  9th  and 
1 6th  current,  (the  first  advising  you  of  my  arrival,  and  giving  reference 
to  the  events  of  my  expedition;  the  last  advising  you  of  my  draft  in 
favor  of  Monsieur  Bersolle,  for  24,000  livres,  and  assigning  reasons  for 
that  demand),  had  not  made  due  appearance,  I  would  hereafter,  as  I  do 
now,  inclose  copies.  Three  posts  have  already  arrived  here  from  Paris, 
since  Compte  d'Orvilliers  showed  me  the  answer  which  he  received 
from  the  minister,  to  the  letter  which  inclosed  mine  to  you.  Yet  you 
remain  silent.  M.  Bersolle  has  this  moment  informed  me  of  the  fate  of 
my  bills;  the  more  extraordinary,  as  I  have  not  yet  made  use  of  your 
letter  of  credit  of  the  10th  of  January  last,  whereby  I  then  seemed 
entitled  to  call  for  half  the  amount  of  my  last  draft,  and  I  did  not 
expect  to  be  thought  extravagant,  when,  on  the  16th  current,  I  doubled 
that  demand.  Could  this  indignity  be  kept  secret  I  should  disregard  it; 
and,  although  it  is  already  public  in  Brest  and  in  the  fleet,  as  it  affects 
only  my  private  credit,  I  will  not  complain.  I  cannot,  however,  be 
silent  when  I  find  the  public  credit  involved  in  the  same  disgrace.  I 
conceive  this  might  have  been  prevented.  To  make  me  completely 
wretched,  Monsieur  Bersolle  has  told  me  that  he  now  stops  his  hand, 
not  only  of  the  necessary  articles  to  refit  the  ship,  but  also  of  the  daily 
provisions.  I  know  not  where  to  find  to-morrow's  dinner  for  the  great 
number  of  mouths  which  depend  upon  me  for  food.  Are  then  the  con- 
tinental ships-of-war  to  depend  on  the  sale  of  their  prizes  for  a  daily 
dinner  for  their  men  ?     ' '  Publish  it  not  in  Gath  ! ' ' 

My  officers  as  well  as  men  want  clothes,  to  cover  their  nakedness 
and  the  prizes  are  precluded  from  being  sold  before  farther  orders  arrive 
from  the  minister.  I  will  ask  you,  gentlemen,  if  I  have  deserved  all 
this?  Whoever  calls  himself  an  American  ought  to  be  protected  here. 
I  am  unwilling  to  think  that  you  have  intentionally  involved  me  in  this 
sad  dilemma,  at  a  time  when  I  ought  to  expect  some  enjoyment.  There- 
fore I  have,  as  formerly,  the  honor  to  be,  with  due  esteem  and  respect, 
gentlemen,  yours,  &c. 

[Jno.  P.  Jones.] 

The  American  Plenipotentiaries  at  the  Court  of  France. 


OBVERSE.  REVERSE. 

FACSIMILE  OF  A  COPY  OF  THE  GOLD  MEDAL  ORDERED  BY  CONGRESS,  OCTOBER  16,  1787,  "IN 
COMMEMORATION  OF  THE  VALOR  AND  BRILLIANT  SERVICES"  OF  "THE  CHEVALIER  JOHN  PAUL 
JONES." 

Designed  by  F.  Dupre,  Paris.     The  reverse  shows  the  shattered  Bonhomme  Richard  battling  with 
the  Serapis*  and  the  Alliance,  at  the  left,  firing  into  her  consort,  the  Bonhomme  Richard. 


SWORD   SAID  TO  HAVE   BEEN   CARRIED   BY  JOHN   PAUL  JONES 
DURING  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


REPORT  OF  JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

CRUISE  OF  U.  S.  SHIP  BONHOMMK  RICHARD  AND  SQUAD- 
RON, AND  CAPTURE  OF  H.  B.  M.  SHIPS  SERAPIS  AND 
COUNTESS  OF  SCARBOROUGH 

[From  contemporary  copy  in  the  library  of  Congress.     Spelling  and  capitalization  closely 

followed.] 

On  Board  the  Ship  of  War  Serapis, 
at  Anchor  Without  the  Texel,  in  Holland, 

Octr.  3,  iyy9. 

Honored  &  Dear  Sir,  When  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  to  you  on 
the  1 1  August,  previous  to  my  departure  from  the  Road  of  Groa,  I  had 
before  me  the  most  nattering  prospect  of  rendering  essential  Service  to 
the  Common  Cause  of  France  and  America.  I  had  a  full  confidence  in 
the  Voluntary  inclination  &  Ability  of  every  Captain  under  my  Com- 
mand, to  assist  &  Support  me  in  my  duty  With  cheerful  Emulation ; 
&  I  Was  persuaded  that  Every  one  of  them  Would  pursue  Glory  in 
preference  to  intrest. 

Whether  I  Was,  or  Was  not  deceived,  Will  best  appear  by  a  relation 
of  Circumstances. 

The  Little  Squadron  under  my  orders,  Consisting  of  the  B.  H.  R. ,  of 
40  guns;  the  Alliance,  of  36  guns;  the  Pallas,  of  32  guns;  the  Cerf, 
of  18  guns;  and  the  Vengeance,  of  12  guns;  joyned  by  two  privateers, 
the  Monsieur  and  the  Granville,  Sailed  from  the  Road  of  Groa  at  Day- 
break on  the  14.  of  August;  the  Same  day  We  Spoke  With  a  Large 
Convoy  bound  from  the  Southward  to  Brest. 

On  the  18  we  retook  a  large  Ship  belonging  to  Holland,  Laden  Chiefly 
With  brandy  &  Wine  that  had  been  destined  from  Barcelona  for  Dun- 
kirk, and  taken  Eight  days  before  by  an  English  privateer.  The 
Captain  of  the  privateer  Monsieur,  took  out  of  this  prize  Such  Articles 
as  he  pleased  in  the  Night ;  and  the  Next  day  being  astern  of  the  Squad- 
ron and  to  Windward,  he  actually  wrote  orders  in  his  proper  name,  and 
Sent  away  the  prize  under  one  of  his  own  officers.  This,  however,  I 
Superseded  by  Sending  her  for  L' Orient  under  my  orders,  in  the  Char- 
acter of  Commander  in  Chief.  The  Evening  of  the  day  following,  the 
Monsieur  Separated  from  the  Squadron. 

On  the  20  We  Saw  and  chaced  a  Large  Ship,  but  could  not  overtake 
her,  She  being  to  Windward. 

139 


140  Letters 


On  the  21  We  Saw  and  Chaced  another  Ship  that  Was  also  to  Wind- 
ward, &  thereby  Eluded  our  pursuit:  The  Same  afternoon,  We  took  a 
brigantine  Called  the  Mayflower,  Laden  With  butter  and  Salt  provision, 
bound  from  Limerick  in  Ireland  for  London:  this  Vessel  I  immediately 
expedited  for  L'  Orient. 

On  the  23d,  We  Saw  Cap  Clear  and  the  S.  W.  part  of  Ireland.  That 
afternoon,  it  being  Calm,  I  sent  Some  armed  boats  to  take  a  brigantine 
that  appeared  in  the  N.  W.  quarter.  Soon  after,  in  the  Evening,  it 
became  necessary  to  have  a  boat  ahead  of  the  Ship  to  tow,  as  the  helm 
Could  not  prevent  her  from  Laying  across  the  tide  of  flood,  Which 
Would  have  driven  us  into  a  deep  and  dangerous  bay,  Situated  between 
the  Rocks  on  the  South  called  the  Skallocks,  and  on  the  North  Called 
the  Blaskats;  The  Ship's  boats  being  absent,  I  Sent  my  own  barge 
ahead  to  tow  the  Ship.  The  boats  took  the  brigantine;  She  being  Called 
the  Fortune  and  bound  with  a  Cargo  of  oil,  blubber  &  staves,  from  New- 
foundland for  Bristol,  this  Vessel  I  ordered  to  proceed  immediately  for 
Nantes  or  St.  Malo.  Soon  after  Sun  Set  the  villain  who  towed  the  Ship, 
cut  the  tow  rope  and  decamped  with  my  barge.  Sundry  Shot,  Were 
fired  to  bring  them  too  Without  effect;  in  the  mean  time  the  master  of 
the  B.  H.  R.,  withojd  orders,  manned  one  of  the  Ship's  boats,  and  With 
four  Soldiers  pursued  the  barge  in  order  to  stop  the  deserters.  The 
Evenin  Was  then  Clear  and  Serene,  but  the  Zeal  of  that  officer,  [Mr. 
Cutting  Lunt,]a  induced  him  to  pursue  too  far,  and  a  fog  Which  came 
on  Soon  afterwards  prevented  the  boats  from  rejoyning  the  Ship,  altho' 
I  Caused  Signal  guns  to  be  frequently  fired.  The  fog  and  Calm  Con- 
tinued the  next  day  till  towards  the  Evening.  In  the  afternoon  Captain 
Landais  came  on  board  the  B.  H.  R.  and  beheaved  towards  me  with 
great  disrespect,  affirming  in  the  most  indelicate  manner  and  Language, 
that  I  had  lost  my  boats  and  people  thro'  my  imprudence  in  Sending 
boats  to  take  a  prize !  He  persisted  in  his  reproaches,  though  he  Was 
assured  by  MM.  de  Weibert  and  de  Chamillard,  that  the  barge  Was  tow- 
ing the  Ship  at  the  [time  of]  Elopement,  and  that  she  had  not  been  Sent 
in  pursuit  of  the  prize.  He  was  affronted,  because  I  Would  not  the  day 
before  Suffer  him  to  chace  without  my  orders,  and  to  approach  the  dan- 
gerous Shore  I  have  already  mentioned,  Where  he  Was  an  entire  Stran- 
ger, and  When  there  Was  [not]  sufficient  wind  to  govern  a  Ship.  He 
told  me  that  he  Was  the  only  American  in  the  Squadron,  and  Was 
determined  to  follow  his  own  opinion  in  chacing  Where  and  When  he 
thought  proper,  and  in  every  other  matter  that  Concerned  the  Service, 
and  that  if  I  continued  in  that  Situation  three  days  longer,  the  Squadron 
Would  be  taken,  &c.  By  the  advice  of  Captain  de  Cottineau,  and  With 
the  free  Consent  and  approbation  of  M.  De  Varage,  I  sent  the  Cerf  in  to 
reconnoitre  the  Coast,  and  Endeavour  to  take  the  boats  and  people,  the 

a  All  brackets  in  this  paper  are  in  the  original  manuscript. — Compiler. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  141 


next  day,  While  the  Squadron  Stood  off  and  on  in  the  S.  W.  quarter,  in 
the  best  possible  Situation  to  intercept  the  Enemie's  merchant  Ships, 
whether  outward  or  homeward  bound.  The  CerJ  had  on  board  a  pilot 
Well  acquainted  With  the  Coast,  and  Was  ordered  to  Joyn  me  again 
before  Night.  I  approached  the  Shore  in  the  afternoon,  but  the  CerJ 
did  not  appear;  this  induced  me  to  Stand  off  again  in  the  night  in  order 
to  return  and  be  rejoined  by  the  CerJ  the  Next  day;  but  to  my  great 
Concern  and  disapointment,  tho'  I  ranged  the  Coast  along  and  hoisted 
our  private  Signal,  neither  the  boats  nor  the  CerJ  joined  me.  The 
Evening  of  that  day,  the  26,  brought  with  it  Stormy  Weather,  With  an 
appearance  of  a  Severe  gale  from  the  S.  W.,  yet  I  must  declare  I  did 
not  follow  my  own  judgment,  but  Was  led  by  the  assertion  Which  had 
fallen  from  Captain  Landais,  When  I  in  the  evening  made  a  Signal 
to  Steer  to  the  Northward  and  Leave  that  Station,  Which  I  Wished  to 
have  occupied  at  Least  a  Week  longer.  The  gale  increased  in  the  Night 
With  thick  Weather;  to  Prevent  Separation,  I  carried  a  top  Light  and 
fired  a  gun  Every  quarter  of  an  hour.  I  Carried,  also,  a  Very  moderate 
sail,  and  the  Course  had  been  Clearly  pointed  [out]  by  a  Signal  before 
night,  yet  With  all  this  precaution,  I  found  myself  accompanied  only  by 
the  Brigantine  Vengeance  in  the  morning,  the  Gra7iville  having  remained 
astern  with  a  prize.  As  I  have  since  understood  the  tiller  of  the  Pallas 
broke  after  midnight  Which  disenabled  her  from  Keeping  up,  but  no 
apology  has  yet  been  made  in  behalf  of  the  Alliance. 

On  the  3 1 ,  we  saw  the  Flamie  Islands  situated  near  the  Lewis,  on  the 
N.  W.  coast  of  Scotland;  and  the  next  morning,  off  Cap  Wrath,  We 
gave  Chace  to  a  Ship  to  Windward,  at  the  Same  time  two  Ships  appear- 
ing in  the  N.  W.  quarter,  Which  proved  to  be  the  Alliance  and  a  prize 
Ship  Which  she  had  taken,  bound,  as  I  understood,  from  Liverpool  for 
Jamaica.  The  Ship  Which  I  Chaced  brought  too  at  noon.  She  proved 
the  Union  letter  of  Marque,  bound  from  London  for  Quebeck,  With  a 
Cargo  of  naval  Stores  on  account  of  government,  adapted  for  the  service 
of  the  British  armed  Vessels  on  the  lakes.  The  public  despatches  Were 
lost,  as  the  Alliance  Very  imprudently  hoisted  American  Colours,  though 
English  colours  were  then  flying  on  board  ihe  B.  II  R.  Captain  Landais 
Sent  a  Small  boat  to  ask  Whether  I  Would  man  the  Ship  or  [he]  Should, 
as  in  the  Latter  Case  he  Would  Suffer  nor  boat  nor  person  from  the 
B.  H.  R.  to  go  near  the  prize.  Ridiculous  as  this  appeared  to  me,  I 
yielded  to  it  for  the  Sake  of  pease,  and  received  the  prisoners  on  board 
the  B.  H.  R. ,  While  the  prize  was  manned  from  the  Alliance.  In  the 
afternoon  another  sail  appeared,  and  I  immediately  made  the  Signal  for 
the  Alliance  to  chace,  but  instead  of  obeying,  he  Wore  and  Laid  the 
Ship's  head  the  other  Way.  The  next  morning  I  made  a  Signal  to 
Speak  with  the  Alliance,  to  Which  no  attention  Was  Shown.  I  then 
made  Sail  With  the  Ships  in  Company,  for  the  second  rendezvous,  Which 


142  Letters 


Was  not  far  distant,  and  Where  I  fully  Expected  to  be  Joined  by  the 
Pallas  and  the  Cerf. 

The  2  of  September  We  Saw  a  Sail  at  daybreak,  and  gave  Chace ; 
that  Ship  proved  to  be  the  Pallas,  and  had  met  With  no  Success  While 
Separated  from  the  B.  H.  R. 

On  the  3  the  Vengeance  brought  too  a  Small  Irish  brigantine,  bound 
homewards  from  Norway.  The  Same  Evening  I  Sent  the  Vengeance  in 
the  N.  E.  quarter  to  bring  up  the  two  prize  Ships  that  appeared  to  me 
to  be  too  near  the  Islands  of  Shetland,  While  with  the  Alliance  and  the 
Pallas,  I  Endeavoured  to  Weather  Fair  Isle,  and  to  get  into  my  Second 
rendezvous,  Where  I  directed  the  Vengeance  to  join  me  With  the  three 
prizes.  The  Next  morning,  having  Weathered  Fair  Isle,  and  not  Seeing 
the  Vengeance  nor  the  prizes,  I  spoke  the  Alliance  and  ordered  her  to 
Steer  to  the  Northward  and  bring  them  up  to  the  rendezvous. 

On  the  Morning  of  the  5  the  Alliance  appeared  again,  and  had  brought 
too  two  Very  Small  Coasting  Sloops  in  ballast,  but  Without  having 
attended  properly  to  my  orders  of  yesterday.  The  Vengeance  Joined  me 
Soon  after,  and  informed  me  that  in  Consequence  of  Captain  Landais' 
orders  to  the  commanders  of  the  two  prize  Ships,  they  had  refused  to 
follow  him  to  the  rendezvous.  I  am  to  this  moment  ignorant  what 
orders  these  men  received  from  Captain  Landais,  Nor  Know  I  by  Virtue 
of  What  authority  he  Ventured  to  give  his  orders  to  prizes  in  my  pres- 
ence and  Without  Either  my  Knowledge  or  approbation.  Captain  Ricot 
further  informed  me  that  he  had  burnt  the  prize  brigantine,  because 
that  Vessel  proved  Leaky ;  and  I  Was  Sorry  to  understand  afterward 
that  though  the  Vessel  Was  Irish  property,  the  cargo  Was  Property  of 
the  Subjects  of  Norway. 

In  the  Evening  I  Sent  for  all  the  Captains  [to]  Come  on  board  the 
B.  H.  R. ,  to  Consult  on  future  plans  of  operation.  Captains  Cottineau 
and  Ricot  obeyed  me,  but  Captain  Landais  obstinately  refused,  and  after 
sending  me  Various  uncivil  messages,  Wrote  me  a  Very  Extraordinary 
Letter  in  answer  to  a  Written  Order,  Which  I  had  Sent  him,  on  finding 
that  he  had  trifled  With  my  Verbal  orders.  The  Next  day  a  pilot  boat 
came  on  board  from  Shetland,  by  Which  means  I  received  Such  advices 
as  induced  me  to  change  a  plan  Which  I  otherwise  meant  to  have  pur- 
sued, and  as  the  Cerf  did  not  appear  at  my  Second  rendezvous  I  deter- 
mined to  Steer  towards  the  third  in  hopes  of  meeting  her  there. 

In  the  afternoon  a  gale  of  Wind  came  on,  which  Continued  four  days 
Without  intermission.  In  the  Second  night  of  that  gale,  the  Alliance, 
With  her  two  Little  prizes,  again  Separated  from  the  B.  H.  R.  I  had 
now  with  me  only  the  Pallas  and  the  Vengeance,  yet  I  did  not  abandon 
the  hopes  of  performing  Some  essential  Service.  The  Winds  Continued 
Contrary f&o  that  We  did  not  see  the  land  till  the  Evening  of  the  13, 
When  the  hills  of  the  Cheviot  in  the  S.  E.  of  Scotland  appeared.  The 
next  day  We  Chased  Sundry  Vessels  and  took  a  Ship  and  a  brigantine, 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  143 


both  from  the  Firth  of  Edinburgh,  Laden  with  coal.  Knowing  that 
there  lay  at  anchor  in  Leith  Road  an  armed  ship  of  20  guns,  With  two 
or  three  fine  cutters,  I  formed  an  Expedition  against  Leith,  Which  I 
purposed  to  Lay  under  a  Large  contribution,  or  otherwise  to  reduce  it  to 
ashes.  Had  I  been  alone,  the  Wind  being  favorable,  I  Would  have 
proceeded  directly  up  the  Firth,  and  must  have  Succeeded;  as  they  lay 
there  in  a  State  of  perfect  indolence  and  Security,  Which  Would  have 
proved  their  ruin.  Unfortunately  for  me,  the  Pallas  and  Vengeance 
Were  both  at  a  considerable  distance  in  the  offing;  they  having  chaced 
to  the  Southward ;  this  obliged  me  to  Steer  out  of  the  Firth  again  to 
meet  them.  The  Captains  of  the  Pallas  and  Vengeance  being  Come  on 
board  the  B.  H.  P.,  I  Communicated  to  them  my  project,  to  Which 
many  difficulties  and  objections  Were  made  by  them:  At  Last,  how- 
ever, they  appeared  to  think  better  of  the  design  after  I  had  assured 
[them]  that  I  hoped  to  raise  a  contribution  of  200,000  pounds  sterling 
on  Leith,  and  that  there  was  no  battery  of  Cannon  there  to  oppose  our 
Landing.  So  much  time,  however,  was  unavoidably  Spent  in  pointed 
remarks  and  Sage  deliberation  that  Night,  [that]  the  Wind  became 
Contrary  in  the  morning. 

We  continued  Working  to  Windward  up  the  Firth  Without  being  able 
to  reach  the  Road  of  Leith,  till  on  the  morning  of  the  17,  When  being 
almost  Within  Cannon  Shot  of  the  town,  having  Every  thing  in  readi- 
ness for  a  descent,  a  Very  Severe  gale  of  Wind  came  on,  and  being 
directly  Contrary,  obliged  us  to  bear  away,  after  having  in  Vain  Endeav- 
oured for  Some  time  to  Withstand  its  Violence.  The  Gale  Was  so 
Severe,  that  one  of  the  prizes  that  had  been  taken  the  14  Sunk  to  the 
bottom,  the  Crew  being  With  difficulty  Saved.  As  the  alarm  had  by 
this  time  reached  Leith  by  means  of  a  cutter  that  had  Watched  our 
motions  that  morning,  and  as  the  Wind  Continued  Contrary,  (tho'  more 
moderate  in  the  evening)  I  thought  it  impossible  to  pursue  the  Enter- 
prise With  a  good  prospect  of  Success,  Especially  as  Edinbourgh  Where 
there  is  always  a  number  of  troops,  is  only  a  mile  distant  from  Leith, 
therefore  I  gave  up  the  project. 

On  the  19,  having  taken  a  Sloop  and  a  brigantine  in  ballast,  With  a 
Sloop  laden  With  building  timber,  I  proposed  another  project  to  Mr. 
Cottineau,  Which  Would  have  been  highly  honorable  tho'  not  profit- 
able; many  difficulties  Were  made,  and  our  Situation  Was  represented 
as  being  the  most  perilous.  The  Enemy,  he  Said,  Would  Send  against 
us  a  Superior  force,  and  that  if  I  obstinately  Continued  on  the  Coast  of 
England  two  days  longer,  We  Should  all  be  taken.  The  Vengea?ice 
having  chaced  along  Shore  to  the  Southward,  Captain  Cottineau  Said  he 
Would  follow  her  With  the  prizes,  as  I  Was  unable  to  make  much  Sail, 
having  that  day  been  obliged  to  Strike  the  main-top-mast  to  repair  its 
damages;  and  as  I  afterward  understood,  he  told  M.  De  Chamillard  that 
unless  I  joined  them  the  next  day,  both  the  Pallas  and  the   Vengeance 


144  Letters 


Would  Leave  that  Coast.  I  had  thoughts  of  attempting  the  Enterprise 
alone  after  the  Pallas  had  made  sail  to  join  the  Vengeance.  I  am  per- 
suaded even  now,  that  I  Would  have  Succeeded,  and  to  the  honor  of  my 
young  officers,  I  found  them  as  ardently  disposed  to  the  business  as  I 
could  desire:  nothing  prevented  me  from  pursuing  my  design  but  the 
reproach  that  Would  have  been  Cast  upon  my  Character,  as  a  man  of 
prudence,  Jiad  the  Enterprise  miscarried,  It  Would  have  been  Said, 
Was  he  not  forewarned  by  Captain  Cottineau  and  others? 

I  made  Sail  along  Shore  to  the  Southward,  and  next  morning  took  a 
coasting  Sloop  in  ballast,  Which  With  another  that  I  had  taken  the 
night  before,  I  ordered  to  be  Sunk.  In  the  Evening,  I  again  met  With 
the  Pallas  and  Vengeance  off  Whitby.  Captain  Cottineau  told  me  he 
had  Sunk  the  brigantine,  and  ransomed  the  Sloop,  laden  With  building 
timber  that  had  been  taken  the  day  before.  I  had  told  Captain  Cot- 
tineau the  day  before,  that  I  had  no  authority  to  ransom  prizes. 

On  the  21  we  saw  and  chaced  two  sail,  of  Flamborough  Head,  the 
Pallas  chaced  in  the  N.  E.  quarter,  while  the  B.  H.  R.  followed  by  the 
Vengeance  chaced  in  the  S.  W.  The  one  I  chaced,  a  brigantine  collier 
in  ballast  belonging  to  Scarborough,  Was  Soon  taken,  and  Sunk  imme- 
diately afterwards,  as  a  fleet  then  appeared  to  the  Southward.  This 
was  so  late  in  the  day  that  I  Could  not  Come  up  With  the  fleet  before 
Night;  at  Length,  however,  I  got  so  near  one  of  them,  as  to  force  her 
to  run  ashore,  between  Flamborough  Head  and  the  Spurn.  Soon  after 
I  took  another,  a  brigantine  from  holland  belonging  to  Sunderland;  and 
at  Day  Light  the  next  morning,  Seeing  a  fleet  Steering  towards  me  from 
the  Spurn,  I  imagined  them  to  be  a  convoy,  bound  from  London  for 
Leith,  which  had  been  for  some  time  Expected,  one  of  them  had  a 
pendant  hoisted,  and  appeared  to  be  a  ship  of  force,  they  had  not,  how- 
ever, Courage  to  Come  on,  but  keept  Back  all  Except  the  one  Which 
Seemed  to  be  armed,  and  that  one  also  keept  to  Windward  very  near 
the  land,  and  on  the  Edge  of  dangerous  Shoals  Where  I  could  not  With 
Safety  approach. 

This  induced  me  to  make  a  Signal  for  a  pilot,  and  Soon  afterward 
two  pilot  boats  Came  off;  they  informed  me  that  the  Ship  that  Wore  a 
pendant  Was  an  armed  merchant  Ship,  and  that  a  King's  frigate  lay 
there  in  Sight,  at  anchor  Within  the  Humber,  waiting  to  take  under 
Convoy  a  number  of  merchant  Ships  bound  to  the  northward.  The 
pilots  imagined  the  B.  H.  R.  to  be  an  English  Ship  of  War,  and  conse- 
quently Communicated  to  me  the  private  Signal  Which  they  had  been 
required  to  make.  I  Endeavoured  by  this  means  to  decoy  the  Ships  out 
of  the  port,  but  the  Wind  then  changing,  and  With  the  tide  becoming 
unfavourable  for  them,  the  deception  had  not  the  desired  effect,  and  they 
Wisely  put  back.  The  Entrance  of  the  Humber  is  Exceedingly  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous,  and  as  the  Pallas  was  not  in  sight,  I  thought  it  not 
prudent  to  remain  off  the  Entrance;  i  therefore  Steered  out  again  to 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  145 


join  the  Pallas  off  Flamborough  Head.  In  the  night  We  Saw  and 
chaced  two  Ships,  until  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  When  being  at  a  Very 
Small  distance  from  them,  I  made  the  private  Signal  of  reconnoisance, 
Which  I  had  given  to  Each  captain  before  I  Sailed  from  Groa.  One 
half  of  the  answer  only  Was  returned.  In  this  position  both  Sides  lay 
too  till  day  Light,  When  the  Ships  proved  to  be  the  Alliance  and  the 
Pallas. 

On  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  23,  the  brig  from  Holland  not  being 
in  Sight,  we  chaced  a  brigantine  that  appeared  Laying  too  to  Win  ward. 
About  noon  We  Saw  and  chaced  a  large  ship  that  appeared  Coming 
round  Flamborough  Head,  from  the  Northward,  and  at  the  same  time  I 
manned  and  armed  one  of  the  pilot  boats  to  send  in  pursuit  of  the  brig- 
antine, Which  now  appeared  to  be  the  Vessel  that  I  had  forced  ashore. 
Soon  after  this  a  fleet  of  41  Sail  appeared  off  Flamborough  Head,  bearing 
N.  N.  E.;  this  induced  me  to  abandon  the  Single  Ship  Which  had  then 
anchored  in  Burlington  Bay;  I  also  Called  back  the  pilot  boat  and 
hoisted  a  Signal  for  a  general  chace.  When  the  fleet  discovered  us 
bearing  down,  all  the  merchant  ships  Crowded  Sail  towards  the  Shore. 
The  two  Ships  of  War  that  protected  the  fleet,  at  the  Same  time  Steered 
from  the  land,  and  made  the  disposition  for  the  battle.  In  approaching 
the  Enemy  I  crowded  Every  possible  Sail,  and  made  the  Signal  for  the 
line  of  battle,  to  Which  the  Alliance  Showed  no  attention.  Earnest  as  I 
Was  for  the  action,  I  Could  not  reach  the  Commodore's  Ship  until  Seven 
in  the  evening,  being  then  within  pistol  shot.  When  he  hailed  the 
B.  H.  R. ,  we  answered  him  by  firing  a  Whole  broadside. 

The  battle  being  thus  begun,  Was  Continued  With  unremitting  fury. 
Every  method  was  practised  on  both  Sides  to  gain  an  advantage,  and 
rake  Each  other;  and  I  must  Confess  that  the  Enemie's  Ship  being 
much  more  manageable  than  the  B.  H.  R. ,  gained  thereby  several  times 
an  advantageous  situation,  in  spite  of  my  best  endeavours  to  prevent  it. 
As  I  had  to  deal  With  an  Enemy  of  greatly  Superior  Jorce \  I  was  under 
the  necessity  of  Closing  with  him,  to  prevent  the  advantage  Which  he 
had  over  me  in  point  of  manoeuvre.  It  was  my  intention  to  lay  the 
B.  H.  R.  athwart  the  enemie's  bow,  but  as  that  operation  required  great 
dexterity  in  the  management  of  both  Sails  and  helm,  and  Some  of  our 
braces  being  Shot  away,  it  did  not  exactly  succeed  to  my  Wishes,  the 
Enemie's  bowsprit,  however,  came  over  the  B.  H.  R.'s  poop  by  the 
mizen  mast,  and  I  made  both  Ships  fast  together  in  that  Situation,  Which 
by  the  action  of  the  Wind  on  the  Enemie's  Sails,  forced  her  Stern  close 
to  the  B.  H.  R.'s  bow,  so  that  the  Ships  lay  Square  along  side  of  each 
other,  the  yards  being  all  entangled,  and  the  cannon  of  Each  Ship 
touching  the  opponent's  Side.  When  this  position  took  place  it  Was 
8  o'clock,  previous  to  which  the  B.  H.  R.  had  received  sundry  eighteen 
7257—07 10 


146  Letters 


pounds  Shot  below  the  water,  and  Leaked  Very  much.  My  battery 
of  12  pounders,  on  Which  I  had  placed  my  chief  dependance,  being 
Commanded  by  Lieut.  Deal*1  and  Col.  Weibert,  and  manned  principally 
with  American  seamen,  and  French  Volunteers,  Were  entirely  silenced 
and  abandoned.  As  to  the  six  old  eighteen  pounders  that  formed  the 
Battery  of  the  Lower  gun -deck,  they  did  no  Service  Whatever:  two  out 
of  three  of  them  burst  at  the  first  fire,  and  killed  almost  all  the  men 
Who  Were  stationed  to  manage  them,  before  this  time  too,  Col.  de 
Chamillard,  Who  Commanded  a  party  of  20  soldiers  on  the  poop  had 
abandoned  that  Station,  after  having  lost*  some  of  his  men.  I  had  now 
only  two  pieces  of  Cannon,  nine  pounders,  on  the  quarter  deck  that 
Were  not  silenced,  and  not  one  of  the  heavyer  Cannon  Was  fired  during 
the  rest  of  the  action.  The  purser,  Mr.  Mease,  Who  Commanded  the 
guns  on  the  quarter  deck,  being  dangerously  Wounded  in  the  head,  I 
was  obliged  to  fill  his  place,  and  With  great  difficulty  rallied  a  few  men, 
and  Shifted  over  one  of  the  Lee  quarter-deck  guns,  So  that  We  after- 
ward played  three  pieces  of  9  pounders  upon  the  Enemy.  The  tops 
alone  Seconded  the  fire  of  this  little  battery,  and  held  out  bravely  during 
the  Whole  of  the  action ;  Especially  the  main  top,  Where  Lieut.  Stack 
commanded.  I  directed  the  fire  of  one  of  the  three  Cannon  against  the 
main-mast,  With  double-headed  Shot,  While  the  other  two  Were  ex- 
ceedingly Well  Served  With  Grape  and  Cannister  Shot  to  Silence  the 
Enemie's  musquetry,  and  clear  her  decks,  Which  Was  at  last  Effected. 
The  Enem}'  Were,  as  I  have  Since  understood,  on  the  instant  of  Calling 
for  quarters,  When  the  Cowardice  or  treachery  of  three  of  my  under 
officers  induced  them  to  Call  to  the  Enemy.  The  English  Commodore 
asked  me  if  I  demanded  quarters,  and  I  having  answered  him  in  the 
most  determined  negative,  they  renewed  the  battle  with  Double  fury ; 
they  Were  unable  to  Stand  the  deck,  but  the  fire  of  their  Cannon,  espe- 
cially the  lower  battery,  Which  Was  Entirely  formed  of  18  pounders, 
Was  incessant,  both  Ships  Were  Set  on  fire  in  Various  places,  and  the 
Scene  was  dreadful  beyond  the  reach  of  Language.  To  account  for  the 
timidity  of  my  three  under  officers,  I  mean  the  gunner,  the  carpenter, 
and  the  master-at-arms,  I  must  observe  that  the  two  first  Were  Slightly 
Wounded,  and  as  the  Ship  had  received  Various  Shots  under  Water,  and 
one  of  the  pumps  being  Shot  away,  the  Carpenter  Expressed  his  fear 
that  she  Should  Sink,  and  the  other  two  concluded  that  She  Was  Sink- 
ing ;  Which  occasioned  the  gunner  to  run  aft  on  the  poop  without  my 
Knowledge,  to  Strike  the  Colours,  fortunately  for  me,  a  Cannon  ball 
had  done  that  before,  by  carrying  away  the  ensign  staff:  he  was  there- 
fore reduced  to  the  necessity  of  Sinking,  as  he  Supposed,  or  of  Calling 
for  quarter,  and  he  preferred  the  Latter. 


a  This  refers  to  Lieutenant  Richard  Dale. — Compiler. 

&These  Men  Deserted  their  Quarters.     (Footnote  on  original. — Compiler.) 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  147 

All  this  time  the  B.  H.  R.  had  Sustained  the  action  alone,  and  the 
Enemy,  though  much  Superior  in  force,  Would  have  been  Very  glad  to 
have  got  clear,  as  appears  by  their  own  acknowledgements,  and  by  their 
having  let  go  an  anchor  the  instant  that  I  laid  them  on  board,  by  Which 
means  they  Would  have  escaped  had  I  not  made  them  Well  fast  to  the 
B.  H.  R. 

At  last,  at  half  past  9  o'clock,  the  Alliance  appeared,  and  I  now 
thought  the  battle  was  at  an  End;  but,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  he 
discharged  a  broadside  full  into  the  stern  of  the  B.  H.  R.  We  called 
to  him  for  God's  Sake  to  forbear  firing  into  the  B.  H.  R.;  yet  he  passed 
along  the  off  Side  of  the  Ship  and  continued  firing.  There  was  no  possi- 
bility of  his  mistaking  the  Enemie's  Ship  for  the  B.  H.  R.,  there  being 
the  most  essential  difference  in  their  appearance  and  Construction; 
besides,  it  Was  then  full  moon  Light,  and  the  Sides  of  the  B.  H.  R. 
Were  all  black,  while  the  Sides  of  the  prizes  Were  yellow,  yet,  for  the 
greater  Security,  I  Shewed  the  S%nal  of  our  reconnoissance,  by  putting 
out  three  Lanthorns,  one  at  the  head,  (Bow,)  another  at  the  Stern, 
(Quarter,)  and  the  third  in  the  middle,  in  a  horizontal  line.  Every 
tongue  Cried  that  he  Was  firing  into  the  Wrong  Ship,  but  nothing 
availed;  he  passed  round,  firing  into  the  B.  H.  R.'s  head,  stern,  and 
broadside,  and  by  one  of  his  Vollies  Killed  several  of  my  best  men,  and 
mortally  wounded  a  good  officer  on  the  forecastle.  My  Situation  Was 
really  deplorable.  The  B.  H.  R.  received  various  Shot  under  Water 
from  the  Alliance;  the  Leack  gained  on  the  pump,  and  the  fire  increased 
much  on  board  both  Ships.  Some  officers  persuaded  me  to  strike,  of 
Whose  Courage  and  good  sense  I  entertain  an  high  opinion.  My 
treacherous  master-at-arms  let  Loose  all  my  prisoners  Without  my 
Knowledge,  and  my  prospect  became  gloomy  indeed.  I  Would  not, 
however,  give  up  the  point.  The  Enemie's  main-mast  begain  to  shake, 
their  firing  decreased,  ours  Rather  increased,  and  the  British  colours 
Were  Struck  at  half  an  hour  past  10  o'clock. 

This  prize  proved  to  be  the  British  Ship  of  War  the  Serapis,  a  New 
Ship  of  44  guns,  built  on  their  most  approved  Construction,  With  two 
compleat  batteries,  one  of  them  of  18  pounders,  and  Commanded  by  the 
brave  Commodore  Richard  Pearson.  I  had  yet  two  enemies  to  encoun- 
ter far  more  formidable  than  the  britons;  I  mean  fire  and  Water.  The 
Serapis  Was  attacked  only  by  the  first,  but  the  B.  H.  R.  Was  assailed  by 
both:  there  Was  five  feet  Water  in  the  hould,  and  Tho  it  Was  moderate 
from  the  Explosion  of  so  much  gunpowder,  yet  the  three  pumps  that 
remained  Could  With  difficulty  only  Keep  the  Water  from  gaining.  The 
fire  broke  out  in  Various  parts  of  the  Ship,  in  spite  of  all  the  Water  that 
could  be  thrown  to  quench  it,  and  at  length  broke  out  as  low  as  the 
powder  magazine,  and  Within  a  few  inches  of  the  powder,  in  that 
dilema,  I  took  out  the  powder  upon  deck,  ready  to  be  thrown  overboard 


148  Letters 


at  the  Last  Extremity,  and  it  was  10  o'clock  the  next  day,  the  24,  before 
the  fire  Was  entirely  Extinguished.  With  respect  to  the  situation  of 
the  B.  H.  R. ,  the  rudder  Was  Cut  entirely  off,  the  stern  frame,  and  the 
transoms  Were  almost  Entirely  Cut  away,  the  timbers,  by  the  lower 
Deck  especially,  from  the  mainmast  to  the  Stern,  being  greatly  decayed 
with  age,  Were  mangled  beyond  my  power  of  description,  and  a  person 
must  have  been  an  Eye- Witness  to  form  a  just  idea  of  the  tremendous 
scene  of  Carnage,  Wreck,  and  ruin,  that  Every  Where  appeared. 
Humanity  Cannot  but  recoil  from  the  prospect  of  Such  finished  horror, 
and  Lament  that  War  Should  produce  Such  fatal  consequences. 

After  the  Carpenters,  as  well  as  Capt.  de  Cottineau,  and  other  men  of 
Sense,  had  Well  Examined  and  Surveyed  the  Ship,  (Which  Was  not 
finished  before  five  in  the  Evening,)  I  found  every  person  to  be 
Convinced  that  it  Was  impossible  to  keep  the  B.  H.  R.  afloat  so  as  to 
reach  a  port  if  the  Wind  Should  increase,  it  being  then  only  a  Very 
moderate  breeze.  I  had  but  Little  time  to  remove  my  Wounded,  which 
now  became  unavoidable,  and  Which  Was  effected  in  the  Course  of  the 
night  and  the  next  morning.  I  Was  determined  to  Keep  the  B.  H.  R. 
afloat,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring  her  into  port.  For  that  purpose,  the 
first  lieutenant  of  the  Pallas  continued  on  board,  With  a  party  of  men 
to  attend  the  pumps,  With  boats  in  Waiting  ready  to  take  them  on 
board,  in  Case  the  Water  Should  gain  on  them  too  fast.  The  Wind 
augmented  in  the  Night  and  the  next  day,  on  the  25,  So  that  it  Was 
impossible  to  prevent  the  good  old  Ship  from  Sinking.  They  did  not 
abandon  her  till  after  9  o'clock:  the  Water  Was  then  up  to  the  Lower 
deck;  and  a  little  after  ten,  I  Saw  With  inexpressible  grief  the  last 
glimpse  of  the  B.  H.  R.  No  Lives  were  lost  With  the  Ship,  but  it  Was 
impossible  to  save  the  stores  of  any  sort  Whatever.  I  Lost  even  the 
best  part  of  my  Cloaths,  books,  and  papers;  and  Several  of  my  officers 
lost  all  their  Cloaths  and  Effects. 

Having  thus  Endeavoured  to  give  a  Clear  and  Simple  relation  of  the 
Circumstances  and  Events  that  have  attended  the  little  armament  under 
my  com,  I  Shall  freely  Submit  my  Conduct  therein  to  the  Censure  of 
my  Superiors  and  the  impartial  public.  I  beg  leave,  however,  to 
observe,  that  the  force  that  Was  put  under  my  command  Was  far  from 
being  Well  composed,  and  as  the  .great  majority  of  the  actors  in  it  have 
appeared  bent  on  the  pursuit  of  intrest  only,  I  am  Exceedingly  sorry 
that  they  and  I  have  been  at  all  concerned.  I  am  in  the  highest  degree 
Sensible  of  the  Singular  attentions  Which  I  have  Experienced  from  the 
Court  of  France,  Which  I  Shall  remember  With  perfect  gratitude  until 
the  End  of  my  Life ;  and  Will  always  Endeavour  to  merit,  while  I  Can, 
Consistent  With  my  honour,  Continue  in  the  public  Service.  I  must 
speak  plainly.  As  I  have  been  always  honored  With  the  full  Confidence 
of  Congress,  and  as  I  also  flattered  myself  With  Enjoying  in  Some 
measure  the  Confidence  of  the  Court  of  France,   I  Could  not  but  be 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  149 


astonished  at  the  Conduct  of  M.  de  Chaumont,  When,  in  the  moment 
of  my  departure  from  Groa,  he  produced  a  paper,  a  Concordat,  for  me 
to  Sign,  in  Common  with  the  officers  Whom  I  had  Commissioned  but  a 
few  days  before.  Had  that  paper,  or  Even  a  less  dishonorable  one,  been 
proposed  to  me  at  the  beginning,  I  would  have  rejected  it  With 
Just  Contempt ;  and  the  Word  deplacement  among  others  should  have 
been  necessary.  I  Cannot,  however,  Even  now  Suppose  that  he  Was 
authorized  by  the  Court  to  make  Such  a  Bargain  With  me ;  Nor  Can  I 
Suppose  that  the  minister  of  the  marine  meant  that  M.  de  Chaumont 
should  Consider  me  merely  as  a  Colleague  With  the  Commanders  of  the 
other  Ships,  and  Communicate  to  them  not  only  all  he  Knew,  but  all  he 
thought,  respecting  our  destination  and  operations.  M.  de  Chaumont 
has  made  me  Various  reproaches  on  account  of  the  Expence  of  the 
B.  H.  R.  wherewith  I  cannot  think  I  have  been  justly  chargeable. 
M.  de  Chamillard  can  attest  that  the  B.  H.  R.  Was  at.  Last  far  from 
being  well  fitted  or  armed  for  War.  If  any  person  or  persons  Who  have 
been  charged  With  the  Expense  of  that  armament  have  acted  Wrong, 
the  fault  must  not  be  Laid  to  my  charge.  I  had  no  authority  to  Super- 
intend that  armament,  and  the  persons  Who  had  authority  Were  So  far 
from  giving  me  What  I  thought  necessary,  that  M.  de  Chaumont  Even 
refused,  among  other  things,  to  allow  me  Irons  for  securing  the  prisoners 
of  War. 

In  Short,  While  my  Life  remains,  if  I  have  any  Capacity  to  render 
good  and  acceptable  Services  to  the  Common  Cause,  no  man  Will  Step 
Forth  with  greater  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  than  myself,  but  I  am  not 
made  to  be  dishonoured,  nor  can  I  accept  of  the  half  Confidence  of  any 
man  living ;  of  Course  I  Cannot,  Consistent  With  my  honor  and  a  pros- 
pect of  Success,  undertake  future  Expeditions,  unless  When  the  object 
and  destination  is  communicated  to  me  alone,  and  to  no  other  person 
in  the  marine  Line.  In  Cases  Where  troops  are  Embarked,  a  like  con- 
fidence is  due  alone  to  their  Commander  in  Chief.  On  no  other  Condi- 
tion Will  I  ever  undertake  the  Chief  Command  of  a  private  Expedition; 
and  when  I  do  not  Command  in  Chief,  I  have  no  desire  to  be  in  the 
secret. 

Captain  Cottineau  Engaged  the  Countess  of  Scarborough  and  took  her 
after  an  hour's  action,  while  the  B.  H.  R.  Engaged  the  Serapis.  The 
Countess  of  Scarborough  is  an  armed  ship  of  20  six  pounders,  and  Was 
Commanded  by  a  King's  officer.  In  the  action,  the  Countess  of  Scarbor- 
ough and  the  Serapis  Were  at  a  Considerable  distance  asunder ;  and  the 
Alliance,  as  I  am  informed,  fired  into  the  Pallas  and  Killed  some  men.  If 
it  Should  be  asked  Why  the  Convoy  Was  Suffered  to  Escape,  I  must 
answer,  that  I  Was  myself  in  no  condition  to  pursue,  and  that  none  of 
the  rest  Shewed  any  inclination,  not  even  Mr.  Ricot,  who  had  held  off 
at  a  distance  to  Windward  during  the  Whole  Action,  and  Witheld  by 


150  Letters 


force  the  pilot  boat  With  my  Lieutenant  and  15  men."  The  Alliance  too, 
Was  in  a  State  to  pursue  the  fleet,  not  having  had  a  Single  man 
wounded,  or  a  Single  Shot  fired  at  her  from  the  Serapis,  and  only  three 
that  did  execution  from  the  Countess  of  Scarborough,  at  such  a  distance 
that  one  Stuck  in  the  Side,  and  the  other  two  just  touched  and  then 
dropped  into  the  Water.  The  Alliance  killed  one  man  only  on  board 
the  Serapis.  As  Captain  de  Cottineau  charged  himself  with  manning 
and  securing  the  prisoners  of  the  Countess  of  Scarborough ;  I  think  the 
escape  of  the  Baltic  fleet  Cannot  So  Well  be  Charged  to  his  account. 

I  should  have  mentioned,  that  the  main-mast  and  mizen- top-mast  of 
the  Serapis  fell  overboard  soon  after  the  captain  had  come  on  board  the 
B.  H.  R. 

Upon  the  Whole,  the  captain  of  the  Alliance  has  beheaved  so  Very  111 
in  Every  respect,  that  I  must  Complain  loudly  of  his  Conduct.  He 
pretends  that  he  is  authorized  to  act  independent  of  my  command:  I 
have  been  taught  the  Contrary;  but  Supposing  it  to  be  so,  his  Conduct 
has  been  base  and  unpardonable.  M.  de  Chamillard  Will  Explain  the 
particulars.  Either  Captain  Landais  or  myself  is  highly  Criminal,  and 
one  or  the  other  must  be  punished.  I  forbear  to  take  any  steps  With 
him  until  I  have  the  advice  and  approbation  of  your  Excellency.  I 
have  been  advised  by  all  the  officers  of  the  Squadron  to  put  M.  Landais 
under  arrest;  but  as  I  have  postponed  it  So  long,  I  Will  bear  With  him 
a  Iyittle  Longer  until  the  return  of  my  Express. 

We  this  Day  anchored  here  having,  Since  the  action  been  tossed  to 
and  fro  by  Contrary  Winds.  I  Wished  to  have  gained  the  Road  of 
Dunkirk  on  account  of  our  prisoners,  but  Was  Overruled  by  the  majority 
of  my  Colleagues.  I  Shall  heasten  up  to  Amsterdam,  and  there  if  I  meet 
With  no  orders  for  my  government,  I  Will  take  the  advice  of  the  French 
Ambassador.  It  is  my  present  intention  to  have  the  Countess  of  Scar- 
borough ready  to  transport  the  prisoners  from  hence  to  Dunkirk,  unless 
it  should  be  found  more  Expedient  to  deliver  them  to  the  English 
ambassador,  taking  his  obligation  to  Send  to  Dunkirk,  &c.  immediately 
an  Equal  number  of  American  prisoners.  I  am  under  Strong  apprehen- 
sions that  our  object  here  will  fail,  and  that  thro'  the  imprudence  of  M. 
de  Chaumont,  who  has  Communicated  Every  thing  he  Knew  or  thought 
on  the  matter  to  persons  Who  Cannot  help  talking  of  it  at  a  full  table. 
This  is  the  way  he  keeps  State  Secrets,  tho'  he  never  mentioned  the 
affair  to  me. 

I  am  ever,  &c.  Jno.  P.  Jones. 

His  Excellency  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esquire,  &c.  &c. 

[This  manuscript  bears  the  contemporaneous  endorsement:  ""An  exact  copy." — 
Compiler.] 

a  This  is  founded  on  a  report  that  has  proved  to  be  false  ;  for  it  now  appears  that 
Capt.  Ricot  expressly  ordered  the  pilot-boat  to  board  the  B.  H.  A\,  which  order  was 
disobeyed.     [Footnote  on  original. — Compiler.] 


CERTIFICATE  OF  MESSRS.  VAN  BERCKEL 
AND  DUMAS 

[From  contemporary  copy  in  the  library  of  Congress.] 

Attestation  de  M.  Van  Berckel,  Grand  Pensionnaire  dy  Amsterdam,  etdeM.  Dumas, 
Agent  des  Etats-  Unis  en  Hollande. 

Le  Commandeur  Paul  Jones,  Commandant  une  Kscadre  legere  equip- 
ped aux  frais  de  sa  Maj.  Tr.  Chretienne,  sous  Pavilion  et  commis- 
sion des  Ktats-Unis  d'Amerique,  fit  voile  de  France  le  14®  Aout,  1779 
dans  le  terns  environ  que  la  grande  Flotte  combined  de  France  et  d'Es- 
pagne  de  66  vaisseaux  de  ligne  sous  le  Commandement  de  S.  E.  le 
Comte  d'Orvilliers,  parut  dans  le  canal  entre  la  France  et  1' Angleterre. 
Comme  on  s'attendoit  qu'une  armee  Francoise  sous  la  protection  de  cette 
Flotte  feroit  une  descente  a  la  C6te  meridionale  de  1' Angleterre,  le  Com- 
mandeur, ayant  Carte  Blanche,  crut  de  son  devoir  de  faire  une  forte 
diversion  pour  faciliter  l'entreprise.  Pour  cet  effet,  il  allarma  et  insulta 
les  Ports  de  rKnnemi  depuis  le  cap  Clear,  le  long  de  la  cote  occidentale 
de  l'lrlande  par  le  nord  de  l'Ecosse  jusqu'a  Hull  a  l'Est  del' Angleterre. 
Dans  le  cours  de  ce  service,  aussi  dificile  qu' important,  il  fit  plusieurs 
captures  armees  en  guerre  et  detruisit  nombre  de  Vaisseaux  Marchands 
de  l'Ennemi.  Le  grand  desir  du  Commandeur  etoit  d'intercepter  la 
Flotte  Britannique  revenant  de  la  Baltique,  et  par  la  priver  l'Ennemi  des 
moyens  d'equipper  leurs  Vaisseaux  de  Guerre.  II  y  a  tout  lieu  de 
croire  qu'il  eut  completement  effectue  ce  projet,  s'il  n'avoit  6te  aban- 
donne  Sur  la  cote  d'  Irlande,  par  une  partie  considerable  de  ses  forces,  et 
si  sa  Fregate  le  Bon-homme  Richard  avoit  ete  le  moins  du  monde  secon- 
dee  dans  son  memorable  Combat  contre  le  Serapis,  Vaisseau  a  deux 
ponts,  et  contre  la  Comtesse  de  Scarborough,  Fregate.  Mais  apres  que 
le  Commandeur  eut  seul  combattu  ces  deux  Vaisseaux  pendant  une 
heure  a  la  distance  du  pistolet,  tandis  que  le  reste  de  ses  forces  se  tenoit 
a  l'abri  des  coups,  malgre  l'avantage  du  vent,  V Alliance  Fregate  Ame- 
ricaine  vint  lacher  traitreusement  trois  bordees  de  mitraille  sur  le  Bon- 
homme  Richard.  Durant  toute  1' affaire,  V Alliance  eut  soin  de  ne  pas 
s'exposer  a  recevoir  un  seul  coup  ni  a  avoir  un  seul  homme  de  tue  ou 
blesse  a  son  bord.  Le  Bon- homme  Richard  fut  pendant  trois  heures 
accroche  au  Serapis,  et  apres  le  Combat,  qui  dura  quatre  heures,  coula 
bas,  crible  de  coups  comme  jamais  vaisseau  ne  l'avoit  ete  jusque-la.  Le 
combat  se  donnant  a  une  lieue  de  navigation  de  Scarborough,  il  ne  fut 
pas  possible  dans  les  circonstances  ci-dessus  mentionnees,  d'empecher 

151 


152  Letters 


l'entr£e  de  ce  Port  au  Convoi  Knnemi,  qui  s'y  mit  en  surete.  Le 
Commandeur  entra  au  Texel  avec  le  residu  de  son  Escadre  et  ses  deux 
dernieres  prises  le  3  Octobre  1779.  La  moitie  des  Equipages  tant  du 
Bonhomme  Richard  que  du  Serapis,  ayant  ete  tuee  ou  blessee,  le 
Commandeur  s'adressa  a  Leurs  Hautes  Puissances  pour  la  permission 
d'£tablir  un  hopital  au  Helder,  afin  d'y  pouvoir  guerir  les  blesses:  mais 
la  magistrature  du  lieu  s'y  opposant,  leurs  Hautes  Puissances  assignerent 
a  cet  effet  le  Fort  du  Texel;  et  comme  le  Commandeur  eut  la  permission 
de  garnisonner  ce  Fort  par  un  Detachement  de  ses  soldats,  il  expedia 
la  Commission,  pour  autant  de  terns  que  de  raison,  de  Commandant  de  la 
Place  a  Tun  de  ses  officiers.  La  Flotte  combinee  etant  rentree  a  Brest, 
les  Anglois  revenus  de  la  terreur  d'une  invasion  dont  ils  s'etoient  vus 
menaces,  firent  eclater  toute  leur  animosite  contre  le  Commodore. 
L'Ambassadeur  d'Angleterre  a  la  Haye,  par  des  Memoires  reiteres  aux 
Etats-Generaux,  ne  cessa  de  reclamer  peremptoirement  la  restitution  du 
Vaisseau  de  Guerre  et  de  la  Fregate  pris  par  le  Commandeur  et  d'exiger 
en  outre  que  Pirate  Paul  Jones  Ecossais  fut  livre  au  Roi  son  Maitre. 
Cette  demarche  de  l'Ambassadeur  ne  lui  reussissant  pas,  il  fit  tout  ce 
qu'il  put  aupres  des  Magistrats  et  Particuliers  d' Amsterdam,  pour  qu'on 
mit  la  main  sur  la  personne  du  Commodore  et  qu'on  le  lui  livrat;  mais 
en  vain:  personne  n'eut  la  bassesse  ou  la  hardiesse  de  se  preter  a  ses 
desirs  a  cet  egard. — Les  Anglois  detacherent  plusieurs  Escadres  legeres 
pour  intercepter  le  Commandeur.  Deux  de  ces  Escadres  croisoient  con- 
tinuellement  a  la  vue  du  Texel  et  du  Vlie;  tandis  que  d'autres  etoient 
stationnees  de  maniere  a  leur  faire  croire  qu'il  etoit  impossible  qu'il  put 
leur  6chapper.  L'objet  de  la  Cour  de  France  en  faisant  entrer  le  Com- 
mandeur au  Texel,  etoit  qu'il  escortat  de  la  a  Brest  une  nombreuse 
Flotte  chargee  de  materiaux  pour  V arsenal  de  ce  Port;  mais  sa  position 
rendit  ce  service  impraticable,  surtout  des  que  le  ministre  n'eut  pas 
soin  de  tenir  la  chose  secrete. — La  situation  du  Commandeur  au  Texel 
fixoit  deja  1' attention  de  toute  1' Europe,  et  affectoit  profondement  la 
politique  des  Puissances  belligerantes.  Mais  cette  position  devint  infi- 
niment  plus  critique  lorsque  le  Prince  d' Orange  6ta  le  Commandement 
de  V  Escadre  Hollandoise  qui  etoit  de  13  Vaisseaux  de  Guerre,  a  M. 
Riemersma,  et  envoy  a  le  Vice-Amiral  Rhynsta  pour  lui  succeder  et 
expulser  le  Commandeur  du  Texel,  a  la  vue  des  Escadres  Britanniques. — 
Ceci  engagea  la  Cour  de  Versailles  a  envoyer  a  l'Ambassadeur  de  France 
a  la  Haye  une  Commission  de  sa  Maj.  Tr.  Chr.  pour  le  commandeur, 
qui  l'autorisoit  a  arborer  le  Pavilion  de  France.  Mais  a  cela  le  Comman- 
deur n'y  voulut  point  consentir:  il  avoit  fait  sa  Declaration  en  arrivant, 
d'officier  des  Etats-Unis:  il  n' etoit  point  autorise  du  Congres  a  accepter 
la  Commission  offerte:  enfin  il  concevoit  qu'il  seroit  deshonorant  et  desa- 
vantageux,  tant  pour  lui-m£me  que  pour  l'Amerique  de   changer  de 

aPieter  Hendrik  Reynst,  vice-admiral  of  the  navy  of  Holland. — Compiler. 


John    Paul  Jones    Comm  emoratio?i  153 


Pavilion,  Vu  surtout  les  circonstances. — Excepte  la  Fregate  V Alliance, 
tout  le  reste  de  l'Escadre  du  Commandeur  appartenoit  a.  Sa  Maj.  Tr. 
Chr.  et  l'Ambassadeur  de  France  avoit  par  consequent,  le  droit  d'en 
disposer. — Le  Ministre  Americain  a  Paris  envoya  ordre  au  Commandeur 
de  livrer  tous  ses  Prisonniers  a  l'Ambassadeur  de  France,  et  pour  obeir 
a  cet  ordre,  le  Commandeur  f ut  r£duit  a  lui  livrer  aussi  le  Serapis  et  La 
Comtesse  de  Scarborough,  parceque  les  autres  Vaisseaux  ne  pouvoient  con- 
tenir  le  grand  nombre  des  Prisonniers. — Le  Commandeur  continua  done 
de  deploy er  le  Pavilion  Americain  a  bord  de  V Alliance,  et  des  que  le 
vent  l'eut  permis,  le  Vice-Amiral,  apres  avoir  deja  rendu  le  Sejour  du 
Commandeur  au  Texel  aussi  desagr£able  qu'il  avoit  pu,  l'obligea  de 
faire  voile  dans  cette  Fregate. — Le  Commandeur  eut  l'adresse  et  le  bon- 
heur  d'echapper  a  l'avidite  de  l'ennemi,  et  les  Anglois  enrages  de  tout 
cela,  et  aussi  de  ce  que  les  Etats-Generaux  avoient  accorde  urie  escorte 
pour  la  Flotte  qui  portoit  des  matieres  na vales  du  Texel  a  Brest,  declare- 
rent  peu  apres  la  guerre  aux  Pays-Bas-unis:  ils  se  servirent  meme  du 
sejour  et  de  la  Conduite  du  Commandeur  au  Texel  pour  en  faire  le 
premier  article  de  leur  Declaration.  Les  faits  qu'on  vient  de  lire  sont 
de  notoriete  publique  par  toute  1' Europe;  et  mon  motif  en  donnant  ce 
temoignage  a  l'Amerique  en  faveur  du  Commandeur,  procede  du  desir 
de  rendre  justice  a  Son  Zele  et  a  sa  bonne  conduite,  pour  l'honneur  et 
les  inter£ts  des  Etats-Unis  dans  les  affaires  parvenues  plus  immediate- 
ment  que  d'autres  a  ma  connoissance.     X  L,sl  Haye,  ce  10  Mars  1784. 

(Sign6)  E.  F.  Van  Berckei,. 

Je  soussigne  connoissant  non  seulement  1'  exact e  v£rite  de  tout  ce  que 
dessus,  mais  ayant  de  plus  du  etre  officiellement  present  pendant  pres  de 
trois  mois  sur  l'Escadre  Americaine  en  rade  au  Texel,  l'atteste  avec 
plaisir.     X  L,sl  Haye  ce  ne  Mars  1784. 

(Signe)  C  W.  F.  Dumas, 

Agent  des  Etats-  Unis  d'  Amirique. 


LETTER  TO  ROBERT  MORRIS 

[From  autograph  draft  in  the  library  of  Congress.] 

Phii.adei.phi A,  [October  10,  1783 .]a 
Sir  :  It  is  the  custom  of  nations,  on  the  return  of  peace,  to  honor, 
promote  and  reward  such  officers  as  have  served  through  the  war 
with  the  greatest  "zeal,  prudence  and  intrepidity".  And  since  my 
country  has,  after  an  eight  years'  war,  attained  the  inestimable  blessing 
of  peace  and  the  sovereignty  of  an  extensive  empire,  I  presume  that,  (as 
I  have  constantly  and  faithfully  served  through  the  Revolution,  and  at 
the  same  time  supported  it,  in  a  degree,  with  my  purse,)  I  may  be 
allowed  to  lay  my  grievances  before  you,  as  the  head  of  the  marine.  I 
will  hope,  sir,  through  you,  to  meet  with  redress  from  Congress. 

Rank,  which  opens  the  door  to  glory,  is  too  near  the  heart  of  every 
man  of  true  military  feeling ,  to  be  given  up  in  favor  of  any  other  man 
who  has  not,  by  the  achievement  of  some  brilliant  action,  or  by  known 
and  superior  abilities,  merited  such  preference.  If  this  be  so,  how  must 
I  have  felt,  since,  by  the  second  table  of  captains  in  the  navy,  adopted 
by  Congress,  on  the  10th  of  October,  1776,  I  was  superseded  in  favor  of 
thirteen  persons,  two  of  whom  were  my  junior  lieutenants  at  the  begin- 
ning ;  the  rest  were  only  commissioned  into  the  continental  navy  on  that 
day ;  and,  if  they  had  any  superior  abilities,  these  were  not  then  known, 
nor  have  since  been  proved!  I  am  the  eldest  sea  officer  (except  Captain 
Whipple)  on  the  Journal,  and  under  the  commission  of  Congress,  remain- 
ing in  the  service.  In  the  year  1775,  when  the  navy  was  established, 
some  of  the  gentlemen  by  whom  I  am  superseded,  were  applied  to,  to 
embark  in  the  first  expedition,  but  they  declined.  Captain  Whipple  has 
lately  and  often  told  me,  they  said  to  him,  "they  did  not  choose  to  be 
hanged".  It  is  certain  the  hazard  at  first  was  very  great ;  and  some 
respectable  gentlemen,  by  whom  I  am  superseded,  accepted  the  appoint- 
ment of  captain  and  of  lieutenant  of  a  provincial  vessel  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  river,  after  our  first  little  fleet  had  sailed  from  it ;  and  on 
board  of  which  they  had  refused  to  embark,  though  I  pretend  not  to  know 
their  reason.  But  the  face  of  affairs  having  changed,  as  we  ripened  into 
the  declaration  of  independence  in  1776,  their  apprehensions  subsided; 
and  in  a  letter  I  received  from  the  late  Mr.  Hewes,  of  Congress,  and  of  the 
marine  committee,  dated  at  Philadelphia,  May  the  26th,  1776,  and  directed 

a  This  date  is  assigned  to  this  paper  by  Mr.  Charles  Henry  Lincoln  in  the  Calendar 
of  John  Paul  Jones  Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Congress. — Compiler. 

155 


156  Letters 


to  me  as  captain  of  the  Providence,  at  New  York,  he  says,  ■ '  You  would  be 
surprised  to  hear  what  a  vast  number  of  applications  are  continually 
making  for  officers  in  the  new  frigates,  especially  for  the  command.  The 
strong  recommendations  from  those  provinces  where  any  frigates  are 
building,  have  great  weight".  He  adds,  "My  utmost  endeavors  shall 
be  exerted  to  serve  you ;  from  a  conviction  that  your  merit  entitles  you 
to  promotion,  and  that  you  ought  to  command  some  who  were  placed  in 
a  higher  rank  than  yourself ' . 

I  ask,  sir,  did  these  "  recommendations"  plead  more  successfully  than 
the  merit  of  all  the  gallant  men  who  first  braved  the  ocean  in  the  cause 
of  America?  Your  candor  must  answer,  "yes".  What  a  hapless  pros- 
pect then  have  those,  who  can  only  claim  from  past,  though  applauded 
services  !  Credit,  it  is  alleged,  has  been,  however,  taken  in  this  Revo- 
lution for  "unparalleled  heroism".  I  am  sorry  for  it,  for  great  as  our 
pretensions  to  heroism  may  be,  yet  modesty  becomes  young  nations  as 
well  as  young  men.  But  the  first  beginning  of  our  navy  was,  as  navies 
now  rank,  so  singularly  small,  that  I  am  of  opinion  it  has  no  precedent 
in  history.  Was  it  a  proof  of  madness  in  the  first  corps  of  sea  officers 
to  have,  at  so  critical  a  period,  launched  out  on  the  ocean,  with  only  two 
armed  merchant  ships,  two  armed  brigantines  and  one  armed  sloop,  to 
make  war  against  such  a  power  as  Great  Britain  ?  They  had,  perhaps, 
in  proportion  to  their  numbers,  as  much  sense  as  the  present  table  of 
officers  can  boast  of ;  and  it  has  not  yet  been  proved,  that  they  did  not 
understand,  at  least  as  well  their  duty. 

Their  first  expedition  was  more  glorious  than  any  other  that  has  been 
since  effected  from  our  coast.  Every  officer  on  that  service  merited  pro- 
motion, who  was  capable  of  receiving  it.  And,  if  there  was  an  improper 
man  placed  over  them  as  commander-in-chief,  was  that  a  reason  to  slight 
or  disgrace  the  whole  corps  ?  Has  the  subsequent  military  conduct  of 
those  officers,  by  whom  the  first  corps  of  sea  officers  were  superseded, 
justified  the  preference  they  had  to  command  the  new  frigates?  If  it 
has  not,  what  shall  we  say  in  favor  of  the  precedence,  which  ' '  Repug- 
nant to  an  Act  of  Congress,  of  the  2 2d  of  December,  1775  ",  and  contrary 
to  all  rule  or  example,  was  given  them  in  the  second  table  of  naval  rank, 
adopted  the  10th  of  October,  1776?  Could  anything  have  been  more 
humilitating  than  this  to  sea  officers  appointed  and  commissioned  in 
1775?  Would  it  not  have  been  more  kind  to  have  dismissed  them  from 
the  service,  even  without  assigning  a  reason  for  so  doing?  Before  any 
second  arrangement  of  naval  rank  had  been  made,  perhaps  it  would 
have  been  good  policy  to  have  commissioned  five  or  seven  old  mariners, 
who  had  seen  war,  to  have  examined  the  qualifications  of  the  candidates, 
especially  those  who  made  their  conditions  and  sought  so  earnestly  after 
the  command  of  the  new  frigates.  Those  commissioners  might  also  have 
examined  the  qualifications  of  the  first  corps  of  sea  officers,  proposed  to 
promote  such  as  were  capable  of  it,  and  struck  from  the  list  such  as 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoratio?i  157 


were  unequal  to  the  commission  they  bore,  &c.  Thus,  by  giving  pre- 
cedence in  rank  to  all  the  captains  who  had  served  and  were  thought 
worthy  of  being  continued ;  and  also  to  all  lieutenants  whose  merit  and 
services  with  their  approved  qualifications  had  entitled  them  to  promo- 
tion to  the  rank  of  captains,  justice  might  have  been  done  both  to  indi- 
viduals and  to  the  public.  It  has  been  .said,  with  a  degree  of  contempt, 
by  some  of  the  gentlemen  who  came  into  the  continental  navy,  the 
second  year  of  the  war,  that  I  ' '  was  only  a  lieutenant  at  the  beginning ' ' ; 
and  pray,  what  were  they  when  I  was  out  on  the  ocean  in  that  character? 
They  pay  me  a  compliment.  To  be  diffident,  is  not  always  a  proof  of 
ignorance,  but  sometimes  the  contrary.  I  was  offered  a  captain's  com- 
mission at  the  first,  to  command  the  Providence,  but  declined  it.  Let  it, 
however,  be  remembered,  that  there  were  three  grades  of  sea  lieutenants 
established  by  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  22d  of  December,  1775;  and  as 
I  had  the  honor  to  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  first  of  those  grades,  it  is 
not  quite  fair  to  confound  me  with  the  last;  I  had  sailed  before  this 
Revolution  in  armed  ships  and  frigates,  yet  when  I  came  to  try  my  skill, 
I  am  not  ashamed  to  own,  I  did  not  find  myself  perfect  in  the  duties  of 
a  first  lieutenant.  However,  I  by  no  means  admit,  that  any  one  of  the 
gentlemen  who  so  earnestly  sought  after  rank  and  the  command  of  the 
new  frigates  the  next  year,  was  at  the  beginning  able  to  teach  me  any 
part  of  the  duty  of  a  sea  officer.  Since  that  time  it  is  well  known,  there 
has  been  no  comparison  between  their  means  of  acquiring  military  marine 
knowledge  and  mine. 

If  midnight  study,  and  the  instruction  of  the  greatest  and  most 
learned  sea  officers,  can  have  given  me  advantages,  I  am  not  without 
them.  I  confess,  however,  I  am  yet  to  learn.  It  is  the  work  of  many 
years'  study  and  experience  to  acquire  the  high  degree  of  science  necessary 
for  a  great  sea  officer.  Cruising  after  merchant  ships,  (the  service  on 
which  our  frigates  have  generally  been  employed)  affords,  I  may  say, 
no  part  of  the  knowledge  necessary  for  conducting  fleets  and  their  opera- 
tions. There  is  now,  perhaps,  as  much  difference  between  a  single  battle 
between  two  ships,  and  an  engagement  between  two  fleets,  as  there  is 
between  a  single  duel  and  a  ranged  battle  between  two  armies.  I  became 
captain  by  right  of  service  and  succession,  and  by  the  order  and  com- 
mission of  the  commander-in-chief,  his  Excellency  Kzek  Hopkins,  Esq., 
the  10th  day  of  May,  in  the  year  1776,  at  which  time  the  captain  of  the 
Providence  was  broke  and  dismissed  from  the  navy,  by  a  court  martial. 
Having  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  with  a  little  convoy  from  Boston,  soon 
after  the  declaration  of  independence,  President  Hancock  gave  me  a 
captain's  commission  under  the  United  States,  dated  the  8th  day  of 
August,  1776.  I  did  not  at  the  time,  think  that  this  was  doing  me  jus- 
tice, as  it  did  not  correspond  with  the  date  of  my  appointment  by  the 
commander-in-chief.  It  was,  however,  I  presumed,  the  Jirst  naval  com- 
mission granted  under  the  United  States,  and  as  a  resolution  of  Congress 


158  Letters 


had  been  passed  the  17th  day  of  April,  1776,  "that  the  appointment  of 
captains  should  not  determine  their  rank,  which  was  to  be  settled  before 
commissions  were  granted,"  my  commission  of  the  8th  of  August,  must, 
by  that  resolution,  take  rank  of  every  commission  dated  the  10th  of 
October.  My  duty  brought  me  again  to  Philadelphia  in  April,  1777; 
and  President  Hancock  then  told  me  that  new  naval  commissions  were 
ordered  to  be  distributed  to  the  officers. 

He  prayed  me  to  show  him  the  captain's  commission  he  had  given  me 
the  year  before.  I  did  so.  He  then  desired  me  to  leave  it  with  him  a  day 
or  two,  till  he  could  find  a  leisure  moment  to  fill  up  a  new  commission.  I 
made  no  difficulty.  When  I  waited  on  him  the  day  before  my  depar- 
ture, to  my  great  surprise,  he  put  into  my  hands  a  commission  dated  the 
10th  day  of  October,  1776,  and  numbered  eighteen  in  the  margin!  I 
told  him  that  was  not  what  I  expected,  and  demanded  my  former  com- 
mission. He  turned  over  various  papers  on  the  table  and  at  last  told 
me  he  was  very  sorry  to  have  lost  or  mislaid  it.  I  shall  here  make  no 
remark  on  such  conduct  in  a  president  of  congress,  perhaps  it  needs 
none.  He  paid  me  many  compliments  on  the  services  I  had  performed 
in  vessels  of  little  force;  he  assured  me  no  officer  stood  higher  in  the 
opinion  of  Congress  than  myself;  a  proof  of  which,  he  said,  was  my  late 
appointment  to  the  command  of  secret  expeditions,  with  five  sail  and  men 
proportioned,  against  St.  Kitts,  Pensacola,  Augustine,  &c. 

That  the  table  of  naval  rank  that  had  been  adopted  the  10th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1776,  had  been  drawn  up  in  a  hurry,  and  without  well  knowing  the 
different  merits  and  qualifications  of  the  officers;  but  it  was  the  intention 
of  Congress  to  render  impartial  justice  and  always  to  honor,  promote 
and  reward  merit.  And,  as  to  myself,  he  added  that  I  might  depend  on 
receiving  a  very  agreeable  appointment  soon  after  my  return  to  Boston, 
and  until  I  was  perfectly  satisfied  respecting  my  rank,  I  should  have  a 
separate  command.  I  returned  to  Boston  and  it  was  not  long  before  I 
received  orders  to  proceed  to  Europe  to  command  the  great  frigate  build- 
ing at  Amsterdam  for  the  United  States,  then  called  the  Indien  and 
since  the  South  Carolina.  It  was  proposed  I  should  proceed  to  France 
in  a  ship  belonging  to  that  kingdom;  but,  some  difficulties  arising,  the 
sloop  of  war  Ranger,  of  eighteen  guns,  was  put  under  my  command  for 
that  purpose  and  to  serve  afterwards  as  a  tender  to  the  Indien.  Political 
reasons  defeated  the  plan,  after  I  had  met  our  commissioners  at  Paris, 
agreeable  to  their  order,  to  consult  on  the  ways  and  means  of  carrying 
it  into  execution.  I  returned  in  consequence  to  Nantes,  and  reassumed 
the  command  of  the  Ranger.  When  I  returned  from  Europe  and 
my  sovereign  told  the  world  that  some  of  my  military  conduct  on  the 
coast  of  England  had  been  ' '  attended  with  circumstances  so  brilliant  as  to 
excite  general  applause  and  admiration;  "  when  the  honours  conferred  on 
me  by  his  most  christian  majesty,  to  wit,  a  gold  sword,  on  which  is 
impressed  the  highly  flattering  words:   ' '  Vindicati Maris  Ludovicus  XVI. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  159 


Remunerator  Strenuo  Vindici"  and  emblems  of  the  alliance  between  the 
United  States  and  France,  accompanied  with  the  order  a?id patent  of  mili- 
tary merit,  and  a  very  strong  and  particular  letter  of  recommendation  to 
Congress  in  my  behalf,  were  declared  by  them  to  be  ' '  highly  acceptable ; ' ' 
when  I  was  thought  worthy  of  a  vote  of  thanks  and  general  approbation  so 

strong  and  comprehensive,  as  that  hereto  subjoined,  in  Paper  No. , 

I  was  far  from  thinking  that  such  expressions  were  all  the  gratification 
I  had  to  expect.  The  committee  of  Congress,  to  whom  was  referred  my 
general  examination  by  the  board  of  admiralty,  with  the  report  of  that 
board  thereon,  were  of  opinion  that  I  had  merited  a  gold  medal,  with 
devices  declarative  of  the  vote  of  thanks,  I  had  received  from  the  United 
States  in  Congress  assembled.  And  I  was  persuaded  that  I  should  also 
be  promoted,  or  at  least  restored  to  the  place  I  held  in  the  naval  line  of 
rank  in  the  year  1775.  I  waited  patiently  for  some  time,  but  nothing 
was  done  on  either  of  these  subjects.  Being  informed  by  some  members 
of  Congress,  that  it  was  necessary  I  should  present  my  claim  respecting 

rank  in  writing,  I  did  so,  in  a  letter  of  which  No.  is  a  copy, 

addressed  to  his  excellency  the  president  of  Congress,  the  28th  of  May, 
1 78 1.  My  application  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  who,  as  I 
have  been  informed  by  one  of  its  members,  made  a  report  in  my  favor 
and  gave  as  their  opinion  that  I  had  merited  to  be  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  rear-admiral.  Before  Congress  had  taken  up  the  report  an  application 
in  opposition  to  me  was  made  by  two  of  the  captains  who  had  superseded 
me.  Upon  this  the  report  was  recommitted.  The  committee  once  more 
reported  in  my  favour ;  but  without  giving  a  direct  opinion  respecting 
my  promotion,  and  recommended  the  appointment  of  a  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  navy,  &c,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  annexed  copy,  No. , 

of  that  report;  which,  on  account  of  the  thinness  of  Congress,  was  on 
the  24th  of  August,  1 78 1,  endorsed  "Not  to  be  acted  upon".  It  is, 
however,  plain,  it  was  intended  to  be  taken  up  again,  when  a  proper 
opportunity  presented  itself ;  otherwise  it  would  not  have  been  retained 
on  the  files  of  Congress.     This  appears  also  by  the  extract  of  a  letter, 

No. ,  which  I  wrote  from  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hampshire,  and 

the  answer,  No.  ,  that   I  received   from  the   honourable  John 

Mathews,  Esq.,  who  was  chairman  of  the  committee  respecting  the 
honorary  medal,  and  a  member  of  the  committee  on  my  rank.  While 
my  claim  to  rank  stood  recommitted  before  the  committee,  I  had  an 
unanimous  election  by  ballot  in  Congress,  the  26th  of  June,  1781,  to 
command  the  America,  of  74  guns;  and,  as  I  was  erroneously  informed, 
ready  to  launch  at  Portsmouth;  [and]  several  of  the  members  of  Con- 
gress told  me  as  their  opinion,  that  my  rank  was  thereby  settled  beyond 
a  dispute ;  because  the  America  was  the  only  ship  in  the  service  ' '  of 
forty  guns  and  upwards;"  and  Congress  had  resolved  that  captains 
of  ships  of  40  guns  and  upwards  should  rank  as  colonels,  and  captains  of 
ships  between  20  and  40  guns  as  lieutenant-colonels.     There  appeared 


160  Letters 


so  much  reason  and  justice  in  that  opinion,  that  I  was  then  and  am  still 
inclined  to  believe  it  was  not  without  foundation ;  for  certainly  there  is 
no  comparison  between  the  trust  reposed  in  a  captain  of  the  line  and 
a  captain  of  a  frigate;  and,  except  in  England,  there  is  no  equality 
between  their  distinct  ranks.  A  captain  of  the  line  must  at  this  day  be  a 
tactician.  A  captain  of  a  cruising  frigate  may  make  shift  without  having 
ever  heard  of  naval  tactics.  Until  I  arrived  in  France,  and  became 
acquainted  with  that  great  tactician  Count  D'Orvilliers  and  his  judicious 
assistant  the  Chevalier  Du  Pavillion,  who  each  of  them  honoured  me 
with  instructions  respecting  the  science  of  governing  the  operations  and 
police  of  a  fleet,  I  confess  I  was  not  sensible  how  ignorant  I  had  been, 
before  that  time,  of  naval  tactics. 

I  have  already  said,  there  were  three  grades  of  sea  lieutenants,  estab- 
lished by  the  act  of  Congress,  of  the  22d  of  December,  1775.  If  I  may 
be  allowed  at  this  date  to  judge,  it  would  be  sound  wisdom  to  re-adopt 
the  same  number  of  subaltern  grades,  exclusive  of  midshipmen,  under 
the  same,  or  some  other  denomination.  From  the  observations  I  have 
made,  and  what  I  have  read,  it  is  my  opinion,  that  in  a  navy  there 
ought  to  be  at  least  as  many  grades  below  a  captain  of  the  line,  as  there 
are  below  a  colonel  of  a  regiment.  Even  the  navy  of  France  is  deficient 
in  subaltern  grades,  and  has  paid  dearly  for  that  error  in  its. constitu- 
tion, joined  to  another  of  equal  magnitude,  which  authorizes  ensigns  of 
the  navy  to  take  charge  of  a  watch  on  board  ships  of  the  line.  One 
instance  may  be  sufficient  to  shew  this.  The  ZSIS,  in  the  night  between 
the  nth  and  12th  of  April,  1782,  ran  on  board  the  Ville  de  Paris, 
which  accident  was  the  principal  cause  of  the  unfortunate  battle  that 
ensued  next  day  between  Count  de  Grasse,  and  Admiral  Rodney.  That 
accident  in  all  probability  would  not  have  happened,  had  the  deck  of  the 
Zele  been  at  the  time  commanded  by  a  steady  experienced  lieutenant  of 
the  line,  instead  of  a  young  ensign.  The  charge  of  the  deck  of  a  ship 
of  the  line,  should  in  my  judgement  never  be  entrusted  to  an  officer 
under  twenty-five  years  of  age.  At  that  time  of  life  he  may  be  sup- 
posed to  have  served  nine  or  ten  years,  a  term  not  more  than  sufficient 
to  have  furnished  him  with  the  necessary  knowledge  for  so  great  a 
charge.  It  is  easy  to  conceive  that  the  minds  of  officers  must  become 
uneasy,  when  they  are  continued  too  long  in  any  one  grade,  which  must 
happen,  (if  regard  be  paid  to  the  good  of  the  service)  where  there  are 
no  more  subaltern  grades  than  midshipman  and  lieutenant.  Would  it 
not  be  wiser  to  raise  young  men  by  smaller  steps  and  to  increase  the 
number? 

I  have  many  things  to  offer  respecting  the  formation  of  our  navy, 
but  shall  here  limit  myself  to  one,  which  I  think  a  preliminary  to 
the  formation  and  establishment  of  a  naval  constitution  suitable  to  the 
local  situation,  resources,  and  prejudices  of  the  Continent.  The  con- 
stitution  adopted   for   the  navy   in   the  year    1775    and   by  which   it 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  161 


has  been  governed  ever  since,  and  crumbled  away  I  may  say  to  nothing, 
is  so  very  defective,  that  I  am  of  opinion  it  would  be  difficult  to  spoil 
it.  Much  wisdom,  and  more  knowledge  than  we  possess,  is  in  my 
humble  opinion  necessary  to  the  formation  of  such  a  naval  constitu- 
tion as  is  absolutely  wanting.  If  when  our  finances  enable  us  to  go 
on,  we  should  set  out  wrong,  as  we  did  in  the  year  1775,  but  much 
more  so  after  arrangement,  or  rather  derangement  of  rank  in  1776, 
much  money  may  be  thrown  away  to  little  or  no  purpose.  We  are 
a  young  people,  and  need  not  be  ashamed  to  ask  advice  from  nations 
older  and  more  experienced  in  marine  affairs  than  ourselves.  This  I 
conceive  might  be  done  in  a  manner  that  would  be  received  as  a  com- 
pliment by  several  or  perhaps  all  the  marine  powers  of  Europe,  and  at 
the  same  time  would  enable  us  to  collect  such  helps  as  would  be  of 
vast  use  when  we  come  to  form  a  constitution  for  the  creation  and 
government  of  our  marine,  the  establishment  and  police  of  our  dock- 
yards, academies,  hospitals,  &c,  and  the  general  police  of  our  seamen 
throughout  the  Continent.  These  considerations  induced  me  on  my 
return  from  the  fleet  of  his  Excellency  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil  to 
propose  to  you  to  lay  my  ideas  on  the  subject  before  Congress,  and  to  pro- 
pose sending  a  proper  person  to  Europe  in  a  handsome  frigate  to  display 
our  flag  in  the  ports  of  the  different  marine  powers,  to  offer  them  the 
free  use  of  our  ports,  and  propose  to  them  commercial  advantages, 
&c.  And  then  to  ask  permission  to  visit  their  marine  arsenals,  to  be 
informed  how  they  are  furnished  both  with  men,  provision,  materials, 
and  warlike  stores;  by  what  police,  and  officers  they  are  governed, 
how  and  from  what  resources  the  officers  and  men  are  paid,  &c.  The 
line  of  conduct  drawn  between  the  officers  of  the  fleet,  and  officers  of 
the  ports,  &c.  Also  the  armament  and  equipment  of  the  different  ships 
of  war  with  their  dimensions,  the  number  and  qualities  of  their  officers 
and  men,  by  what  police  thay  are  governed  in  port  and  at  sea,  how 
and  from  what  resources  they  are  fed,  clothed  and  paid,  &c. ;  and  the 
general  police  of  their  seamen,  academies,  hospitals,  &c.  If  you  still 
object  to  my  projects  on  account  of  the  expense  of  sending  a  frigate 
to  Europe  and  keeping  her  there  till  the  business  can  be  effected,  I 
think  it  may  be  done,  though  perhaps  not  with  the  same  dignity, 
without  a  frigate.  My  plan  for  forming  a  proper  corps  of  sea  officers, 
is  by  teaching  them  the  naval  tactics  in  a  fleet  of  evolution.  To  lessen 
the  expense  as  much  as  possible,  I  would  compose  that  fleet  of  frigates 
instead  of  ships  of  the  line :  on  board  of  each  I  would  have  a  little 
academy,  where  the  officers  should  be  taught  the  principles  of  mathe- 
matics and  mechanics,  when  off  duty.  When  in  port  the  young  officers 
should  be  obliged  to  attend  at  the  academies  established  at  each  dock- 
yard, where  they  should  be  taught  the  principles  of  every  art  and 
science  that  is  necessary  to  form  the  character  of  a  great  sea  officer, 
7257—07 11 


162  Letters 


and  every  commission  officer  of  the  navy  should  have  free  access,  and  be 
entitled  to  receive  instruction  gratis  at  those  academies.  All  this  would 
be  attended  with  no  very  great  expense,  and  the  public  advantage 
resulting  from  it  would  be  immense.  I  am  sensible  it  cannot  be  imme- 
diately adopted,  and  that  we  must  first  look  about  for  ways  and  means ; 
but  the  sooner  it  is  adopted  the  better.  We  cannot,  like  the  ancients, 
build  a  fleet  in  a  month,  and  ought  to  take  example  from  what  has 
lately  befallen  Holland. 

In  time  of  peace  it  is  necessary  to  prepare,  and  be  always  prepared  for 
war  by  sea.  I  have  had  the  honor  to  be  presented  with  copies  of  the 
signals,  tactics,  and  police,  that  have  been  adopted  under  the  different 
admirals  of  France  and  Spain  during  the  war;  and  I  have  in  my  last 
campaign  seen  them  put  in  practice.  While  I  was  at  Brest,  as  well  as 
while  I  was  inspecting  the  building  of  the  America,  as  I  had  furnished 
myself  with  good  authors,  I  applied  much  of  my  leisure  time  to  the 
study  of  naval  architecture  and  other  matters,  that  relate  to  the  estab- 
lishment and  police  of  dock-yards  &c.  (I,  however,  feel  myself  bound 
to  say  again,  I  have  yet  much  need  to  be  instructed).  But  if,  such  as  I 
am,  it  is  thought  I  can  be  useful  in  the  formation  of  the  future  marine 
of  America,  and  make  whole  my  honour,  I  am  so  truly  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  that  I  will  cheerfully  do  my  best  to  effect  that  great 
object.  It  was  my  fortune,  as  the  senior  of  the  first  lieutenants,  to 
hoist,  myself,  the  flag  of  America  the  first  time  it  was  displayed. 
Though  this  was  but  a  light  circumstance,  yet  I  feel  for  its  honour 
more  than  I  think  I  should  have  done  if  it  had  not  happened.     See 

Paper  No. .     I  drew  my  sword  at  the  beginning,  not  after  having 

made  sinister  conditions  but  purely  from  principle  in  the  glorious  cause 
of  freedom;  which  I  trust  has  been  amply  evinced  by  my  conduct  during 
the  Revolution.  I  hope  I  shall  be  pardoned  in  saying,  it  will  not  now 
be  expected,  after  having  fought  and  bled  for  the  purpose  of  contribut- 
ing to  make  millions  happy  and  free  that  I  should  remain  miserable  and 
dishonoured  by  being  superseded,  without  any  just  cause  assigned. 

Though  I  have  only  mentioned  two  things  that  afflict  me,  the  delay  of 
a  decision  respecting  my  rank,  and  the  honorary  medal,  yet  I  have  met 
with  many  other  humiliations  in  the  service,  that  I  have  borne  in  silence. 
I  will  just  mention  one  of  them.  When  the  America  was  presented  to 
his  most  Christian  Majesty,  I  presume  it  would  not  have  been  incon- 
sistent with  the  dignity  of  that  act  of  my  sovereign,  if  it  had  mentioned 
my  name.  Such  little  attentions  to  the  military  pride  of  officers  are 
always  of  use  to  a  state,  and  cost  nothing.  In  the  present  instance,  it 
could  have  been  no  displeasing  circumstance,  but  the  contrary,  to  a 
monarch  who  condescends  to  honour  me  with  his  attention.  I  appeal  to 
yourself,  sir,  whether,  after  being  unanimously  elected  to  command  the 
first  and  only  American  ship  of  the  line,  my  conduct,  for  sixteen  months 
while  inspecting  her  building  and  launching,  had  merited  only  such  cold 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  163 


neglect?  When  the  America  was  taken  from  me,  I  was  deprived  of  my 
tenth  command.  Will  posterity  believe,  that  out  of  this  number  the 
sloop  of  war  Ranger  was  the  best  I  was  ever  enabled  by  my  country  to 
bring  into  actual  service?  If  I  have  been  instrumental  in  giving  the 
American  flag  some  reputation  and  making  it  respectable  among  Euro- 
pean nations,  will  you  permit  me  to  say,  that  it  is  not  because  I  have 
been  honoured,  by  my  country,  either  with  the  proper  means  or  proper 
encouragement.  I  cannot  conclude  this  letter  without  reminding  you  of 
the  insult  offered  to  the  flag  of  America,  by  the  court  of  Denmark,  in. 
giving  up  to  England,  towards  the  end  of  the  year  1779,  two  large  letter 
of  marque  ships  (the  one  the  Union  from  London,  the  other  the  Betsy, 
from  Liverpool)  that  had  entered  the  port  of  Bergen,  in  Norway,  as 
my  prizes.  Those  two  ships  mounted  22  guns  each,  and  were  valued,  as 
I  have  been  informed,  at  sixteen  hundred  thousand  livres  Tournois.  I 
acquit  myself  of  my  duty  in  giving  you  this  information  now  when  the 
sovereignty  and  independence  of  America  is  acknowledged  by  Great 
Britain,  and  I  trust  Congress  will  now  demand  and  obtain  proper 
acknowledgments  and  full  restitution  from  the  court  of  Denmark. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant. a 

I 

[Endorsement] 

J.  P.  Jones  to  the  U.  S.  Minister  of  Marine  Hon  Robt.  Morris. 

a  This  paper  is  unsigned.  The  signature  "J.  Paul  Jones"  is  appended  to  a  similar, 
but  abridged,  letter  of  October  10,  1783,  printed  by  R.  C.  Sands  in  "Life  and  Cor- 
respondence of  John  Paul  Jones,"  New  York,  1830,  pp.  304-309. — COMPILER. 


LETTER  TO  MRS.  BEECHES 

[From  original,  in  possession  of  Edinburgh  Antiquarian  Society.] 

Paris,  August  29,  ij86. 
Madam  :  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  now  execute  the  nattering 
commission  you  gave  me  before  you  left  this  city.  Sir  James  Stuart, 
who  returns  immediately  to  Scotland,  does  me  the  honor  to  take  charge 
of  the  Medallion  you  desired  I  might  send  you.  I  am  unable  to  say 
whether  it  is  well  or  ill  executed,  but,  I  feel,  it  receives  its  value 
from  your  acceptance:  an  honor  for  which  I  can  never  sufficiently 
express  my  obligation,  but  which  it  will  always  be  my  ambition  to  merit. 
My  respectful  compliments  await  your  husband.  I  am  very  sensible  of 
his  polite  attentions  while  here. 

May  you  always  enjoy  a  state  of  Happiness,  as  real  as  is  the  esteem 
and  respect  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Madam, 
Your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  Servant 

J.  Paul  Jones. 
Mrs.  Belches,  Scotland. 
164 


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JLj^  Crtn^,-  y<?-K~~  x***j£*»«± 

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fcj     ;0<JCA-L<t  _    Jt#t£j^. 


FACSIMILE  OF  LETTER  TO  MRS.  BELCHES. 

From  photograph  of  original  in  possession  of  Edinburgh  Antiquarian  Society,  furnished  by 
Capt.  John  S.  Barnes.     (Scale,  two-thirds  of  original.) 


WAX  MEDALLION  PRESENTED  TO  MRS.  BELCHES  IN   1786. 


From  photograph  of  original  in  possession  of  Edinburgh  Antiquarian  Society,  furnished  by 

Capt.  John  S.  Barnes. 


IV.  CHRONOLOGY 

[Numbers  at  right  of  page  denote  references,  see  pp.  186-193.] 

1747,  July      6.  Born  at  Arbigland,  Scotland 1 

1 759  to .    Apprenticed.     Went  to  sea  on  the  Friendship 2 

Visited  his  brother,  William  Paul,  in  Virginia 3 

Made  voyage  as  third  mate  of  slaver  King  George 4 

1766.  Chief  mate  of  the  Two  Friends,  of  Kingston,  Jamaica 5 

1768.  Returned  to  Scotland  in  the  John , 6 

Made  master  and  supercargo  of  the  John;  sailed  for  the  West 

Indies 7 

1770,  Aug.      5.  Wrote  from  St.  George,  Granada,  to  Mr.  Craik  regarding  his 

private  business,  his  ship,  and  the  care  of  his  mother 8 

1770,  Nov.    27.  Made  a  Freemason  [entered  apprentice]  St.  Bernard's  Lodge, 

Kilwinning  No.  122.     Kirkcudbright,  Scotland 9 

1771,  Apr.      1.  Date  of  certificate  of  high  approval  from  owners  of  the  John. 

Same  year  visited  his  family  in  Scotland  for  last  time 10 

1772,  June    30.  Date  of  affidavit  sworn  to  before  Governor  Young,  of  Tobago, 

exonerating  Jones  from  charges  made  against  him 11 

1772,  Sept.   24.  In  London.     Wrote  to  his  mother  and  sisters;  enclosed  copy 

of  affidavits  establishing  his  innocence  in  the  case  of  Mungo 

Maxwell 12 

1772.  Commanded  the  Betsey 13 

1773,  Jan.     30.  Evidence  in  Jones's  behalf  given  before  Mayor  of  London 14 

1773.  In  Virginia 15 

Assumed  the  name  of  Jones  in  North  Carolina 16 

I774-  Jones's  brother,  William  Paul,  died.     Date  taken  from  tomb- 

stone  in   St.   George's    Churchyard,    Fredericksburg,    Va. 

William  Paul's  will  dated  1772 17 

J775>  Apr.    25.  Wrote  to  Joseph  Hewes,  Robert  Morris,  and  Thomas  Jefferson 

desiring  a  naval  appointment 18 

1775,  May    — .   Visited  French  ship    Terpsichore,  Commodore   Kersaint,   in 

Hampton  Roads.     Met  Louis  Philippe,  Egalite' 19 

I775»  June  24.0  Marine  Committee  desired  Jones's  views  on  naval  affairs 20 

*775>  July  18. «  Appeared  before  the  committee  at  Philadelphia 21 

1775,  Aug.  25.0  Requested  by  Marine  Committee  to  fit  out  the  Alfred 22 

1775,  Sept.   14,  Sent,  through  Hon.  Joseph  Hewes,  replies  to  inquiries  from 

or  Oct.  3. a         Congress  on  naval  affairs 23 

!775,  L>ec  3.  "B.  P."  wrote  to  Karl  Dartmouth  that  the  "Continental  flag 
was  this  day  hoisted  on  the  Black  Prince  [later  the  Alfred} 
at  Philadelphia  " 24 


«  Buell,  "  Paul  Jones,  Founder  of  the  American  Navy."     These  statements  are  not 
supported  by  the  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress. — Compiler. 

165 


166  .  Ch  rono logy 


1775,  Dec.     7.  Jones  appointed  first  of  the  first  lieutenants  in  the  Continental 

Navy  by  Congress.     Ordered  to  the  Alfred 25 

1775,  Dec.  22.  Appointments  of  December  7  confirmed  by  Congress 26 

1775,  Dec.  — .  Off ered  command  of  the  Providence  or  Fly.     Preferred  remain- 
ing on  the  Alfred 27 

1775,  Dec.  — .  Hoisted  the  American  flag  on  the  Alfred,   flagship  of  Com- 

or                 mander-in-Chief  Esek  Hopkins.      (Entry  above,   No.    24, 
J776,  Jan.     — .       indicates  December  3  as  the  date) 28 

1776,  Feb.      9.  Commodore  Hopkins's  fleet  sailed  from  Philadelphia  under 

the  "Union  flag"  as  used  by  General  Washington  at  Cam- 
bridge.    Jones  first  lieutenant  of  flagship  Alfred 29 

1776,  Feb.    17.  The  fleet  left  the  Delaware  on  expedition 30 

1776,  Mar.      1.  Fleet  anchored  off  Abaco.     Jones  piloted  the  Alfred  into  New 

Providence 31 

1776,  Mar.    17.  Fleet  sailed  from   New   Providence  with  captured  military 

stores  and  the  governor  and  other  important  prisoners 32 

1776,  Apr.  4-5.  Schooner  Hawk  and  bomb  brig  Bolton  captured 33 

1776,  Apr.      6.  Alfred  and  Cabot  engaged  the  Glasgow.     She  escaped.     Hop- 
kins's squadron  put  into  New  London. 34 

1776,  Apr.     14.  Jones  wrote  Honorable  Mr.  Hewes  account  of  the  expedition. 

Sent  extract  from  log  of  the  Alfred 35 

1776,  May      1.  Ordered  to  attend  the  court-martial  of  Captain  Whipple,  cap- 
tain of  the  Alfred 36 

1776,  May    10.  Jones  ordered  by  Hopkins  to  command  the  Providence 37 

1776,  May    18.  Providence  arrived  off  New  York 38 

1776,  May    19.  Jones  explained  to  Hewes  reasons  for  declining  the  command 

of  the  Ply;  says  new  commission  has  not  been  sent  him 39 

1776,  June     6.  Desired  command  of  one  of  the  new  ships  being  constructed 

by  order  of  Congress 40 

J776,  June    10.  In  obedience  to   Commodore   Hopkins's  order,  pursued  an 

armed  sloop  in  sight  off  New  London.     She  escaped 41 

1776,  June    13.  Ordered  to  convoy  the  Ply  and  other  vessels  carrying  Gov- 
ernment supplies 42 

I776,  June    18.  Ordered  to  Boston  by  Hopkins 43 

1776,  June    20.  Colonel  Tillinghast  requested  by  Jones  to  get  his  private  Log 

of  the  Alfred  from  that  ship  and  send  it  to  him 44 

1776,  Aug.      1.  Arrived  in  the  Delaware  with  convoy  from  Boston 45 

1776,  Aug.      8.  Received  a  captain's  commission  from  the  President  of  Con- 
gress.     "The   first   naval   commission    under    the    United 

States,"  or  "since  the  Declaration  of  Independence " 46 

Marine  Committee  proposed  to  Jones  the  command  of  the 

Hampden;  he  chose  to  remain  on  the  Providence 47 

1776,  Aug.    16.  Ordered  to  watch  for  French  vessel  with  supplies 48 

1776,  Aug.    21.  Sailed  from  the   Delaware  with   orders  to  "cruise  against 

enemy  for  six  weeks  or  more  " 49 

1776,  Sept.     1.  After  a  sharp  action  escaped  from  the  British  frigate  Solebay, 
near  Bermuda.     Later  encountered  and  escaped  from  the 

Milford,  off  Cape  Sable 50 

1776,  Sept.      3  Captured  off  northeast  coast  of  America,  16  vessels,  destroyed 
to  Sept.  28.  fishery  at  Canso  and  shipping  at  Isle  Madame.     Sent  in  8 

prizes,  burned  8 51 

List  of  prizes 52 


John    Paul  Jones    Comm  e  mor  a  tio?i  167 


1776,  Oct.       7.  Arrived  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  the  Providence 53 

1776,  Oct.     10.  Commissioned   captain  in   the  Continental   Navy    (new  list 

made  by  Congress:  Jones  No.  18) 54 

1776,  Oct     17.  Wrote  Robert  Morris  an  account  of  cruise.     Made  suggestions 

for  improvement  of  the  Navy  and  plans  for  an  expedition 

against  enemy's  African  trade 55 

1776,  Oct.     22.  Took  command  of  expedition  to  Cape  Breton 36 

1776,  Oct.     27.  The  Hampden  disabled,  had  to  put  back 57 

1776,  Nov.      2.  Jones  sailed  with  the  Alfred  and  Providence 58 

1776,  Nov.    10.  Captured  brig  Active  off  Louisburg 59 

1776,  Nov.    13.  Captured  transport  Mellish,   with    10,000  suits  of  uniform. 

Took  150  prisoners 60 

1776,  Nov.    16.  Captured  ship  Hetty 61 

1776,  Nov.    18.  The  Providence  parted  company  from  Alfred  in  the  night. . .        62 
1776,  Nov.     24  Captured  5  vessels,  one  a  privateer  of  16  guns.     Destroyed  a 
to  Nov.  30.  transport,  ashore  at  Canso  Straits.     Burned  buildings  at  Isle 

Royale 63 

1776,  Dec.      7.  Chased  by  frigate  Milford;  escaped  with  loss  of  only  one  of 

the  prizes 64 

1776,  Dec.      10  Arrived  at  Boston 65 

or  Dec.  15. 

1777,  Jan.     12.  Explained  to  Mr.  Hewes  failure  to  release  the  Americans  at 

Cape  Breton  coal  mines 66 

1777,  Jan.     14.  Superseded  by  Hinman  in  command  of  the  Alfred,  by  order  of 

Commodore  Hopkins 67 

1777,  Jan.     21.  Protested  to  Marine  Committee  against  this  injustice 68 

1777,  Feb.      5.  Marine  Committee  ordered  Jones  to  command  a  fleet  of  six 

vessels  for  an  expedition  to  Pensacola 69 

1777,  Feb.     10.  Wrote  Robert  Morris  concerning  the  Navy 70 

1777,  Mar.    17.  Appointed  by  Congress  to  command  one  of  the  three  ships 

purchased  "until  a  better  can  be  had " 71 

1777,  Mar.    25.  Ordered  to  Boston  to  select  and  fit  out  a  ship 72 

1777,  Apr.      7.  At  request  of  President  of  Congress  submitted  plans  for  organi- 
zation and  government  of  Navy 73 

1777,  Apr.    19.  Met  La  Fayette  in  Alexandria,  Va 74 

1777,  May      4.  Letter  to  Mr.  Mawey  regarding  money  due  him  and  care  of 

his  mother.     Written  from  Boston 75 

1777,  May      9.  Ordered  to  proceed  to  France  in  Amphitrite.     To  take  officers 
and  men  to  man  a  fine  ship  to  be  purchased  for  him  in 

Europe.     Letter  to  Commissioners  in  Paris 76 

1777,  May    23.  In  Boston,  shipped  men  for  Amphitrite 77 

1777,  May    26.  Wrote  to  the  "  Secret  committee  " 78 

1777,  June    14.  Ordered  to  command  the  Ranger,  first  called  the  Hampshire, 
building  at  Portsmouth,    N.   H.;    and  Stars    and   Stripes 

adopted  as  National  ensign  by  act  of  Congress 79 

1777,  June    18.  Appointment  to  the  Ranger  sent  by  Marine  Committee 80 

1777,  July  1,  2.  Orders  received  by  Jones  at  Boston 81 

1777,  July      4.  Stars  and  Stripes  hoisted  on  a  United  States  man-of-war  for 

first  time;  the  Ranger,  or  the  Raleigh 82 

1777,  July     12.  Jones  announces  to  Captain   Roach,    former  commander  of 

Ranger,  his  arrival  at  Portsmouth  and  his  orders 83 

1777»  July     29.  Directions  to  Lieut.  Elijah  Hall  regarding  men's  pay 84 

1777,  Aug.      2.  Advertised  for  crew  for  Ranger 85 


168  Chronology 


1777,  Sept.  6.  Ordered  by  Marine  Committee  to  proceed  to  France  to  report 
to  the  Commissioners.  The  Indien,  at  Amsterdam,  prom- 
ised him 86 

1777,  Oct.     29    Reported  to  Marine  Committee  the  many  hindrances  in  fitting 

or  30.  the  Ranger  for  sea.    Will  sail  ' '  with  first  favorable  wind  " . .         87 

1777,  Nov.      1.  The  Ranger  sailed  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H 88 

1777,  Nov.    26.  Captured  two  brigs  (Green  says  23d  and  25th) 89 

1777,  Dec.      2.  Anchored  off  Nantes.     Forwarded  papers  to  Paris 90 

1777,  Dec.      5.  Jones  visited  the  Commissioners  at  Paris 91 

1777,  Dec.    11.  Gave  a  detailed  account  of  voyage  in  letter  to  Jacob  Wendell. .         92 

1778,  Jan.     10.  Commissioners  directed  an  advance  of  500  louis  d'  or  to  be 

paid  Jones  for  expenses  of  ship 93 

1778,  Jan.     16.  Commissioners  give  Jones  "unlimited  orders " 94 

1778,  Feb.      1.  Fired  13  guns  in  honor  of  Mr.  Thomas  Morris,  Continental 

agent  at  Nantes,  recently  deceased 95 

1778,  Feb.    12.  Ranger  sailed  from  Nantes  for  Quiberon  Bay 96 

1778,  Feb.    13.  Anchored  in  Quiberon  Bay  at  7  p.  m.  (or  6  p.  m.) 97 

1778,  Feb.  14.  Received  from  Admiral  La  Motte  Piquet,  commanding  French 
squadron,  first  salute  to  the  Stars  and  Stripes  from  a  foreign 

power.     Gave  13  and  received  9  guns 98 

1778,  Feb.  15.  Sailed  through  the  French  fleet  in  the  American  brig  Inde- 
pendence, Captain  John  Young;  saluted  the  French  squadron 

with  13  guns  and  received  9  in  return 99 

1778,  Feb.    22.  Informed  the  Marine  Committee  of  exchanging  salutes 100 

1778,  Mar.     3.  Sailed  from  Quiberon  Bay 101 

1778,  Mar.      8.  Anchored  in  Camaret  Bay 102 

1778,  Mar.    23.  Sailed  up  to  Brest.     Exchanged  salutes  with  French  Admiral. .       103 
1778,  Mar.    25.  Wrote  Silas  Deane  and  John  Ross  that  he  was  to  receive  salute 

of  gun  for  gun  when  leaving  Brest 104 

1778,  Apr.      2.  Count  d'Orvilliers  saluted  Ranger  with  10  or  11  guns  when 

she  left  Brest,  about  5  p.  m 105 

1778,  Apr.      5.  Ships  forced  by  bad  weather  to  return  to  Brest 106 

1778,  Apr.      11  Ranger  sailed  from  Brest  in  company  with  French  frigate 

or  10.  Fortuna 107 

1778,  Apr.      14  Captured  brig  Dolphin  off  Cape  Clear 108 

or  15. 

1778,  Apr.    17.  Captured  ship  Lord  Chatham;  sent  her  to  Brest 109 

1778,  Apr.     19,  Sunk  schooner  and  sloop  taken  off  coast  of  Ireland no 

20. 
1778,  Apr.    21.  Captured  a  fishing  boat.     Bad  weather  prevented  surprising 

and  boarding  the  Drake,  20  guns in 

1778,  Apr.    22.  Captain   Jones  and    31    volunteers    landed    at  Whitehaven. 

Spiked  guns,  burnt  shipping,  including  ship  Thompson 112 

1778,  Apr.  23.  Jones  and  12  men  landed  at  St.  Marys  Isle  to  capture  Karl  of 
Selkirk.     Selkirk,    being    absent,   men    took    160   pounds 

weight  of  silver.     List  of  names  of  landing  party 113 

1778,  Apr.    24.  After  fight  of  one  hour  and  five  minutes,  H.  B.  M.  S.  Drake 

surrendered  to  the  Ranger 114 

1778,  Apr.  25.  Captured  brig  Patience.  Let  fishing  boat  go.  Buried  Captain 
Burden,  of  the  Drake,  and  Lieutenant  Wallingsford,  of  the 

Ranger,  with  military  honors 115 

1778,  Apr.  26.  Lieutenant  Simpson  given  command  of  the  Drake.  Relieved 
of  command  by  Jones  because  of  disobedience  of  orders.  A 
brig  captured  by  Ranger 116 


Johri    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


169 


1778,  May 
1778,  June 
1778,  June 

28. 
1. 
3- 

1778,  June 

5- 

1778,  June 

6. 

1778,  June 

10. 

1778,  July 

4. 

1778,  May      6.  Lieut.  Elijah  Hall  sent  on  board  the  Drake  to  supersede  lieu- 
tenant Simpson 117 

1778,  May      7.  Lieutenant  Hall  ordered  to  follow  Ranger  and  take  the  Drake 

into  Brest 118 

1778,  May      8.  The  Ranger  reentered  Brest  with  the  Drake 119 

Jones  wrote  Lady  Selkirk  courteous  letter.     Will  return  her 

silver.     Inventory  of  silver 120 

1778,  May      9.  Reported  the  result  of  expedition  to  American  plenipotentia- 
ries at  Paris 121 

1778,  May    10.  Hoisted  Continental  colors  on  the  prize  Patience 122 

1778,  May    11.  Prisoners  sent  on  board  the  Patience 123 

1778,  May    27.  Reported  to    Marine    Committee   actions  from   April   10  to 

May  27 124 

1778,  May    27.  Informed  Doctor  Bancroft  of  need  of  funds  for  crew,  and  sur- 
prise at  the  dishonoring  of  his  draft 125 

Reports  death  of  Lieutenant  Dobbs,  R.  N.,  of  the  Drake 126 

Thanked  Doctor  Franklin  for  his  expressed  approval 127 

Explained  his  financial  embarrassment;  had  advanced  ^1,500 

of  his  own  money;  received  no  wages 128 

Submitted  plans  for  combined  operations  against  the  British, 

to  American  plenipotentiaries  and  French  minister  of  marine .       1 29 
Sailing  in  company  with  the  Boston,  Capt.  S.  Tucker,  off  Isle 

Dieu;  visited  the  ship 130 

Informed  by  Doctor  Franklin  that  he  is  to  have  the  Indien, 

building  at  Amsterdam 131 

Proposed  to  the  plenipotentiaries  that  Lieutenant  Simpson 
return  to  America  in  command  of  the  Ranger.     Celebrated 

anniversary  of  independence  on  Ranger 132 

1778,  July     12.  Letter  to  Mr.  Grand  regarding  qualifications  requisite  in  a 

Protestant  chaplain  for  his  ship 133 

Lieut.  Simpson  took  command  of  Ranger 134 

Informed  General  Washington  that,  at  the  request  of  the 
French  minister  of  marine,  he  will  remain  in  France.  Begs 
the  General's  acceptance  of  a  pair  of  epaulettes  he  sends. 
Men  of  Whitehaven  expedition  recommended  to  plenipo- 
tentiaries        135 

1778,  Aug.    10.  Informed  that  the  plenipotentiaries  will  recommend  to  Con- 
gress those  who  took  part  in  the  landing  at  Whitehaven  ...       136 

Requested  the  plenipotentiaries  to  order  a  court-martial 137 

Capt.  Abr.  Whipple,  of  the  Providence,  requested  by  Jones  to 

summon  a  court-martial  to  try  Lieutenant  Simpson 138 

Recommends  to  Congress  all  who  landed  at  Whitehaven 139 

Ranger  ran  out  with  a  fine  breeze 140 

Commissioners  order  court  to  try  Simpson 141 

Charges  against  Simpson  withdrawn 142 

Having  been  informed  that  he  can  not  get  the  Indien  and  pre- 
vented from  going  on  expedition  with  Count  d'Orvilliers, 

asked  Sartine's  permission  to  return  to  America 143 

1778,  Sept.    21.  Requested  the  Due  de  Chartres  to  aid  him  in  his  efforts  to  get 

a  ship  or  some  active  duty 144 

1778,  Oct.     16.  Ranger  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H 145 

1778,  Oct.     19.  Implored  King  Louis  XVI  to  aid   him  to  get   a  ship.     The 

Duchess  de  Chartres  presented  the  letter 146 

1778,  Nov.    21.  Explanatory  letter  replying  to  Mr.  Arthur  Lee 147 


1778,  July 
1778,  Aug. 


1778,  Aug. 
1778,  Aug. 


1778,  Aug. 
1778,  Aug. 
1778,  Sept. 
1778,  Sept. 


170 


Ch  ron  0 logy 


1778,  Dec.    17.  Jones  summoned  to  audience  with  the  King 148 

x779>  Feb.      4.  The  King  gave  Jones  the  Duras;  to  be  fitted  out  and  manned 

by  him.     Permission  given  to  change  name  to  Bonhomme 
Richard,  in  compliment  to  Doctor  Franklin 149 

1779,  Feb.      6.  Jones  thanked  M.  de  Sartine  for  his  interest 150 

J779,  Feb.    10.  Doctor  Franklin  and  Hon.  J.  Adams  to  Jones  regarding  his 

giving  up  the  Ranger 151 

1779,  Mar.      6.  Jones  explained  to  Benjamin  Franklin  cause  of  his  trouble 

before  coming  to  America 152 

1779,  Apr.    27.  Informed  that  La  Fayette  is  to  command  Jones's  expedition. 

Bonhomme  Richard  to  be  ready  May  7 153 

1779,  Apr.    30.  Jones  wrote  to  "  Father  John  "  (John  Mehegan),  chaplain  to 

Count  d'Orvilliers,  that  he  would  require  a  chaplain  for  the 

French  of  his  crew 154 

1779,  May      I-  Replied  to  La  Fayette  that  it  would  be  a  great  pleasure  to  serve 

under  his  command 155 

Thanked  Sartine,  La  Fayette,  and  Benjamin  Franklin 156 

1779,  May  1-3.  Jones  in  command  of  Bonhomme  Richard  at  l'Orient 157 

1779,  May      9.  Informed  by  Franklin  of  affairs  on  the  Alliance 158 

1779,  May     11.  Captain  Landais  brings  the  Alliance  from  Nantes  to  1' Orient.       159 

1779,  May     13.  Ordered  Landais  to  prepare  the  Alliance  for  sea 160 

1779,  May     22.  La  Fayette  ordered  by  King  to  command  a  regiment  ashore 

instead  of  the  fleet 161 

1779>  June      1.  Jones  wrote  and  sent  money  to  his  sister  Elizabeth 162 

J779>  June    10.  Informed  by  M.  de  Chaumont  regarding  the  preparation  of 

the  Bonhomme  Richard,  her  officers  and  crew 163 

J779»  June    14.  M.  De  Chaumont  sent  Jones  the  "  Concordat  " 164 

30. 
J779i  June   19.  Bonhomme  Richard,  Alliance,  Pallas,  Cerf,  Vengeance  sailed 

from  1' Orient,  under  command  of  Capt.  John   Paul  Jones. 

Convoyed  French  merchant  ships  and  transports  with  troops       165 
x779>  June    20.  At  midnight  the  Alliance  "ran  afoul"  of  the  Bonhomme 

Richard;  carried  away  latter's  jib  boom 166 

*779>  June    21.  The  Alliance  made  prize  of  a  Dutch  ship.     A  privateer  cap- 
tured, but  abandoned;  superior  force  in  sight 167 

I779>  June    23.  Jones  issued  "standing  orders"  to  the  fleet 168 

x779>  June    29,  Chased  two  frigates.     Prepared  for  action ;  they  stood  away. 

30.  Consulted  with  his  officers  as  to  chasing 169 

J779»  June    30.  Thanked  officers  and  men  for  efforts  on  29th 170 

Entered  Groix  to  refit.     Ordered  to  cruise  on  coast  of  Ireland . .       171 

x779»  July      I.  Reported  to  Franklin;  cruise  from  June  19  to  30 172 

J779>  July      4.  Celebrated   on  board  the  Bonhomme  Richard.     Fired  two 

salutes  each  of  13  guns 173 

J779»  July    12.  Franklin  informed  that  the  Bonhomme  Richard  is  too  old  to 

admit  of  proposed  alterations 174 

J779>  July    26.  Would  like  to  have  the  Monsieur  added  to  fleet.     Jamaica 

fleet,  convoyed  by  a  50-gun  ship  and  two  frigates,  may  be 

encountered 175 

I779,  July    28.  Sent  Mr.  Lunt  and  gunner  to  recruit  crew  from  exchanged 

prisoners 176 

x779.  July    30.  Reported  sinking  at  anchor  of  prize  Three  Friends 177 

1779,  Aug.     3.  Bonhomme  Richard  spoken  of  as  having  three  decks 178 

1779,  Aug.      7.  Mr.  Lunt  returns  with  29  men 179 

1779,  Aug.    10.  Special  orders  issued  to  the  fleet 180 


John   Paul  Jones    Commemoration  171 


1779,  Aug-    I3-  Signed  the  ''concordat "  on  eve  of  departure 181 

1779,  Aug.  14.  The  fleet,  under  Jones's  command,  sailed  from  Groix.  Con- 
sisted of  Bonhomme  Richard,  Alliance,  Pallas,  Cerf,  Ven- 
geance, Granville,  and  Monsieur 182 

1779,  Aug.    16.  Application  made  by  Jones  for  affiliation  with  the  lodge  of 

L,es  Neuf  Soeurs,  Paris 183 

1779,  Aug.    18.  Captured  the  Verwagting.     The  Monsieur  left  fleet 184 

1779,  Aug.     22  Captured  Mayflower,  Fortune,  Betsey,  Union,  and  1  ship,  5 

to  Sept.  22.         brigs,  and  5  sloops 185 

1779,  Aug.    25.  The  Cerf  and  the  Granville  parted  from  the  fleet 186 

1779,  Sept.   17.  Ivetter  written  to  the  chief  magistrates  of  I^eith 187 

Released  captured  fisherman;  gave  him  a  passport 188 

1779,  Sept.  — .  Liverpool  put  in  a  state  of  defense 189 

1779,  Sept.  23.  Captured  H.  B.  M.  S.  Serapis  and  Countess  of  Scarborough 
off  Flamborough  Head,  England.  After  an  engagement  of 
nearly  four  hours,  the  Serapis,  44  guns,  Capt.  Richard  Pear- 
son, R.  N.,  surrendered  to  the  Bonhomme  Richard,  Capt. 
John  Paul  Jones.  The  Countess  of  Scarborough  surrendered 
to  the  Pallas  and  Alliance.  When  asked  by  Captain  Pear- 
son if  he  had  struck,  Jones  replied  "in  a  most  decided 

negative;"  or,  "I've  not  yet  begun  to  fight " 190 

1779,  Sept.  24.  Log  of  the  Bonhomme  Richard  states  that  the  Alliance  raked 
the  Bonhomme  Richard  fore  and  aft  during  the  latter  part 

of  the  engagement  of  23d 191 

Jones  transferred  his  crew  to  and  hoisted  his  flag  as  Commo- 
dore on  the  captured  Serapis 192 

Note  to  log  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Serapis  says:  "At  l/2  past  12  at 

night  (23d)  the  Serapis  colours  were  hailed  down  and  some 

of  the  Bonhomme  Richard's  officers  and  men  boarded  her."       193 

1779,  Sept.  25.  The  Bonhomme  Richard  sank  between  10  and  11  a.  m.,  her 

flag  flying  as  she  went  down.    Nothing  saved  but  the  signal 

flags.     Jones's  loss  "  50,000  livres  " 194 

1779,  Sept.  26.  Master-at-arms  of  the  Bonhomme  Richard  put  in  irons  for 

liberating  prisoners  during  the  fight,  September  23d 195 

1779,  Oct.       3.  Jones  anchored  his  squadron  and  prizes  in  the  Texel 196 

1779,  Oct.       5.  Reported  his  arrival  to  French  ambassador  at  The*Hague 197 

J779)  Oct.  6.  Captain  Pearson,  R.  N.,  reported  the  engagement  and  his  sur- 
render on  September  23  to  the  British  Admiralty  Office  ....       198 

x779»  Oct.       7.  Jones  left  the  ship  and  went  to  Amsterdam 199 

1779,  Oct.  9, 13.  Sir  Joseph  Yorke,  British  ambassador,  requested  the  Dutch 

Government  to  hold  Jones's  prizes  as  English  property 200 

1779,  Oct.     11.  Franklin  informed  by  Jones  that  he  will  hold  Captain  Pearson 

as  hostage  for  Captain  Conyngham's  release 201 

1779,  Oct.  15.  Franklin  acknowledged  receipt  of  letter  of  8th  instant.  "All 
Paris  and  Versailles  praising  Jones's  victory."  Directions 
given  regarding  Landais.  Anxiety  regarding  prisoners 
Jones  has  taken.  The  prizes  sent  into  Norway  arrived  safely .  202 
T779»  Oct.  19.  Captain  Pearson  complained  to  Jones  of  his  not  having  visited 
him,  and  wished  to  know  what   had   been    done  towards 

exchange  of  prisoners 203 

1779,  Oct.  20.  Jones  replied  to  Pearson,  and  referred  to  treatment  of  Captain 
Conyngham  in  England.  Sick  and  wounded  British  to  have 
all  the  care  given  to  Americans : 204 


172  Chronology 


1779,  Oct.  24.  Jones  wrote  to  M.  de  Chaumont  regarding  the  unaccountable 
conduct  of  Landais,  September  23d.  Thanked  M.  de  Chau- 
mont for  his  kindness 205 

1779,  Oct.     25.  Holland  refused  to  agree  to  Sir  J.  Yorke's  demands  regarding 

Jones's  prizes;  "will  observe  a  strict  neutrality" 206 

x779»  Oct.  30.  Charges  preferred  against  Landais,  signed  by  "officers  of  the 
American  squadron  in  the  Texel."  Sent  to  plenipotentiaries 
at  Paris 207 

1779,  Nov.     4.  Jones  informed  the  French  minister  at  The  Hague  of  need  of 

water  and  squadron  supplies 208 

Wrote  to  French  ambassador  explaining  position.  Loss  of 
French  commission  and  intention  to  leave  the  Texel. 
British  squadron  watching  for  him 209 

1779,  Nov.    15.  Directed  by  Franklin  to  turn  over  to  French  ambassador  at 

The  Hague  all  prizes  and  ships  of  his  fleet  but  the  Alliance.       210 

1779,  Nov.  21.  All  American  officers  and  men  transferred  to  the 'Alliance. 
Command  of  the  Serapis  turned  over  to  Captain  Cottineau 
by  Jones.  Captain  Pearson  exchanged  for  Captain  Con- 
yngham,  who  was  taken  on  Alliance 211 

x779»  Dec.      1.  The  Alliance  ready,  waiting  favorable  wind  to  sail 212 

1779,  Dec.  5.  Informed  Robert  Morris  of  desire  to  return  to  America.  Num- 
ber on  list  of  October  10,  1776,  unsatisfactory 213 

1779,  Dec.    13.  Indignantly  declined  "letter  of  marque"   commission  from 

French  ambassador  at  The  Hague 214 

J779»  Dec.    16.  Declined  to  visit  Dutch  admiral  on  his  ship 215 

J779>  Dec.     17,  Refused  to  hoist  other  than  American  colors  on  the  Alliance. 

Waiting  for  pilot 216 

1779,  Dec.    27.  The  Alliance  sailed  from  the  Texel.      Escaped  the   British 

fleet  outside 217 

1779,  Dec.    28,  Sailed  past  British  fleets  in  the  Downs  and  off  Spithead,  show- 

29.  ing  American  colors 218 

1780,  Jan.       1.  Got  clear  of  the  British  Channel 219 

Jones  wrote  some  "  Lines  "  in  reply  to  Miss  Dumas 220 

1780,  Jan.       8,  Took  two  prizes;  sunk  one  and  sent  one  to  America 221 

12. 

1780,  Jan.     16.  Put  into  Corunna,  Spain,  for  anchor 222 

1780,  Jan.     28.  Sailed  from  Corunna,  French  frigate  La  Sensible,  bound  for 

Brest,    in  company.     Before  sailing  visited   by   governor; 

saluted  him  with  13  guns 223 

1780,  Feb.     5,    Recaptured  a  French  bark  from  a  Guernsey  privateer 224 

1780,  Feb.    10.  Alliance  arrived  at  Groix.     Convoyed  the  American  merchant 

ship  Livingston  into  port.     Notified  Franklin  of  arrival  and 

repairs  needed  to  the  Alliance 225 

1780,  Feb.    13.  Reported  to  Franklin  from  l'Orient 226 

1780,  Feb.    19.  Great  economy  ordered  to  be  observed  in  refitting  the  Alliance. 

Four  gentlemen  have  permission  to  return  to  the  United 

States  on  her.     She  is  to  carry  arms  and  ammunition  for  the 

United  States  Government 227 

1780,  Feb.    25.  Jones  replied  to  Franklin  that  his  wishes  shall  be  complied 

with  as  far  as  possible 228 

1780,  Mar.    12,  Franklin  informed  Landais  that  he  would  not  give  him  a  ship 

if  he  had  twenty 229 

1780,  Apr.     11.  Alliance  ready  to  sail  for  America.     Arms  and  supplies  for  the 

American  Army  all  on  board.     Jones  visited  Paris 230 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


173 


16. 


1780,  June 
1780,  June 
1780,  June 


1780,  June    22. 


1780,  May  1.  Festival  in  Jones's  honor  given  by  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Les 
Neuf  Soeurs,  Paris.     This  lodge  ordered  Jones's  bust  to  be 

made  by  Jean  Houdon 231 

1780,  May  Informed  that  King  Louis  XVI  had  awarded  him  the  Order  of 

Military  Merit  and  a  gold  sword 232 

1780,  May    30.  The  King,  through  M.  de  Sartine,  commended  Jones  to  the 

Continental  Congress 233 

1780,  June  1.  Letter  received  by  Franklin  from  the  American  Board  of 
Admiralty  dated  March  28,    1780,  desiring  the  immediate 

return  of  the  Alliance 234 

Franklin  commended  Jones  to  Congress 235 

1780,  June  13.  Jones  read  his  orders  to  command  the  Alliance  to  the  crew. 
Left  for  Paris.  Landais  assumed  command  of  Alliance 
against  Franklin's  orders.     Arthur  Lee  supported  Landais's 

action 236 

Officers  and  men  desiring  to  remain  with  Jones  went  from  the 

Alliance  to  the  Ariel,  loaned  to  America  b}'  France 237 

Jones  returned  from  Versailles.     Alliance  dropped  down  to 

Port  Louis 238 

Jones  informed  Franklin  of  Landais's  refusal  to  obey  orders. 
Stated  that  he  had  prevented  the  French  forts  from  firing 

on  the  Alliance,  and  that  she  had  been  towed  out 239 

Rouel,  Parisian  artist,  desired  Jones  to  sit  to  him  for  his 

portrait   240 

The  Serapis  sold  at  1' Orient  for  240,000  livres  to  the  King  of 

France 241 

1780,  June    24.  The  Alliance  sailed  for  Groix 242 

1780,  June  25.  Commodore  Gillen,  of  South  Carolina,  visited  Jones  in  regard 
to  men  from  South  Carolina  who  had  been  on  the  Bon- 

homme  Richard 243 

1780,  June  28.  M.  de  Sartine  notified  Jones  that  the  King  would  present  to 
him  a  gold  sword,  and  the  French  decoration  of  the  Order 
of   Military  Merit.      A  packet  for   Chevalier  de   Luzerne 

intrusted  to  Jones's  care  for  transportation  to  America 244 

I^andais  ordered  not  to  sail  for  America  without  instructions. 
Requested  to  send  80  men  to  assist  in  equipping  the  Ariel. 

He  sent  22 245 

1780,  June    29.  An  officer  sent  to  the  Alliance  for  more  men  contemptuously 

treated  by  Landais 246 

Jones  wrote  to  crew  of  Alliance 247 

Alliance  sailed  for  America * 248 

The  gold  sword  presented  to  Jones.     He  is  received  by  the 
King  at  Versailles.     Asked  Countess  de  La  Vendahl  to  be 

custodian  of  sword  while  he  was  at  sea 249 

Wrote  to  Madame  de  T.  explaining  affair  between  Landais 

and  himself  at  l'Orient 250 

The  Ariel  nearly  ready  for  sea.     Jones  solicited  the  interest 
of  the  Count  de  Maurepas  and  the  Count  de  Vergennes  in 

his  plans  for  active  operations 251 

The  Alliance  made  Cape  Ann  38  days  from  land  to  land 252 

Jones  informed  that  Count  de  Maurepas  would  endeavor  to 

secure  vessels  and  aid  for  an  expedition 253 

1780,  Aug.    25.  Birthday  of   Louis  XVI   celebrated  on    board   the  Ariel  at 

l'Orient.     Two  royal  salutes  fired 254 


1780,  July 
1780,  July 
1780,  July 

3- 

8. 

21. 

1780,  July 

24 

1780,  Aug. 

2. 

1780,  Aug. 
1780,  Aug. 

13- 
15- 

174  Chronology 


1780,  Sept.     2.  Jones  gave  a  grand  entertainment  on  the  Ariel 255 

1780,  Sept.     5.  Ariel  moved  to  outer  harbor  of  Groix 256 

1780,  Sept.     8.  Jones  wrote  M.  Dumas  that  at  next  meeting  with  Captain 

Pearson  he  would  "make  him  a  count."    (Most  biographies 

say  "make  a  lord  of  him " 257 

1780,  Sept.   21.  Replied  to  letter  (July  5)  in  which  the  Countess  de  La  Ven- 

dahl  declined  to  be  custodian  of  his  sword 258 

1780,  Oct.       7,  The  Ariel  put  to  sea 259 

1780,  Oct.     12.  Ariel  returned,  disabled  by  storm 260 

1780,  Oct.     13.  Statement  of  ArieVs  officers  of  disasters  caused  by  storm  of 

8th,  9th 261 

1780,  Oct.     26.  Franklin  notified  that  all  haste  will  be  used  to  refit  Ariel ', 

and  of  correspondence  with  Capt.  Thos.  Truxtun,  of  U.  S. 

privateer  Independence ',  regarding  his  right  to  fly  a  broad 

pennant,  contrary  to  act  of  Congress  October  29,  1776 262 

1780,  Dec.      4.  Ordered  by  Franklin  to  proceed  to  America  with  dispatches 

for  Congress.     Franklin  will  use  best  endeavors  to  secure 

prompt  payment  of  prize  money 263 

1780,  Dec.    — .  Superb  entertainment  given  on  the  Ariel.     Fight  between  the 

Bonhomme  Richard  and  Serapis  represented 264 

1780,  Dec.    18.  The  Ariel  sailed  for  Philadelphia 265 

1780,  Dec.    — .  In   latitude    260,   longitude    of  Barbados    (6o°),    the    Ariel 

engaged  and  received  the  surrender  of  the  British  frigate 
Triumph,  Capt.  John  Pindar.  She  escaped  after  striking 
her  colors 266 

1 781,  Feb.      4.  Ariel  reached  Delaware  Bay.     Col.  Henry  Fisher,  Continental 

Army,  loaned  money  to  Jones  for  his  officers  and  crew 267 

1781,  Feb.    18.  Ariel  arrived  at  Philadelphia 268 

1 781,  Feb.    19.  Jones  ordered  to  attend  Congress  on  February  26 269 

1 78 1,  Feb.    20.  Required  by  the  Board  of  Admiralty  to  reply  to  47  questions. .       270 
1781,  Feb.    27.  Congress  passed  resolutions  commending  Jones.     Praised  his 
brilliant  victory.     Authorized  his  acceptance  of  decoration 

of  Order  of  Military  Merit  from  Louis  XVI 271 

1781,  Mar.      1.  Ariel  took  part  in  celebration  of  ratification  of  confederation 

of  the  States,  held  at  Philadelphia 272 

1781,  Mar.  17.  Franklin  replied  to  Board  of  Admiralty,  explaining  the  "Con- 
cordat " 273 

1 781,  Mar.  21.  Jones  sent  replies  to  the  47  questions  from  the  Board  of 
Admiralty.  About  this  time  he  was  invested  with  the  Order 
of  Military  Merit,  became  a  "Chevalier,"  and  was  per- 
mitted to  wear  the  decoration.  The  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne 
gave,  at  Philadelphia,  a  grand  entertainment  in  honor  of 
the  event.  Board  of  Admiralty  desired  Jones's  opinion 
regarding  exchange  of  prisoners  on  prison  ships  at  New 

York ....    274 

1 78 1,  Mar.    28.  Board  of  Admiralty  satisfied  with  Jones's  replies;  commended 

him  to  Congress 275 

1 78 1.  "Prophecies,"  etc.,  "par  Paul  Jones,"  published 276 

1 781,  Apr.  14.  Thanks  of  Congress  given  to  Capt.  John  Paul  Jones,  his  offi- 
cers and  men 277 

T781,  May    15.  Letter  of  congratulation  from  Gen.  George  Washington 278 

1 781,  May    28.  Jones  sent  memorial  to  Congress  requesting  he  be  given  his 

right  number  on  list  of  captains 279 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


175 


1781,  July 
1781,  July 

1781,  Aug. 

1781,  Nov. 

1781,  Dec. 
1781,  Dec. 

1781,  Dec. 

1782,  May 

1782,  June 


1 781,  June    26.  Made  statement  to  Board  of  Admiralty  of  amount  of  pay  due 

him  from  December  7, 1775  (,£"1,400  5s. ) 280 

Jones  unanimously  elected  by  Congress  to  command  the  U.  S. 
ship-of-the-line  America,  building  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 
Rank  of  admiral  proposed 281 

1781,  June    28.  Petitioned  Congress  for  an  advance  on  pay  due  him,  to  enable 

him  to  pay  his  debts  and  proceed  to  Portsmouth  in  obedi- 
ence to  orders 282 

18.  Wrote  certificate  of  merit  for  Lieut.  Richard  Dale 283 

25.  Congress  approved  accounts;  referred  him  to  the  Treasury 

Board  for  payment 284 

— .  Left  Philadelphia.     Visited   General   Washington   at  White 

Plains.     Reached  Portsmouth  late  in  August 285 

29.  Jones  addressed  a  public  meeting  in  the  town  hall,  Ports- 
mouth, N.  H 286 

13.  Appointed  by  Congress  Day  of  Thanksgiving 287 

22.  Farewell  letter  from  La  Fayette  to  Jones 288 

25.  Jones  wrote  to  "Delia "  from  Philadelphia 289 

13.  Birth  of  the  Dauphin  of  France  announced.     All  commanding 

officers  ordered  by  Congress  to  celebrate  it 290 

— .  Jones  celebrated  the  birth  of  the  French  Dauphin  on  board 
the  U.  S.  S.  America.  Supplied  guns  and  powder  at  his 
own  expense 291 

1782,  July      4.  Celebrated  the   Declaration  of  Independence  on  board  the 

America 292 

1782,  July  29.  Highly  praised  and  commended  by  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne. .  293 
1782,  Sept.     4.  Robert  Morris  inclosed  resolution  of  Congress  September  3, 

presenting  the  America  to  France 294 

Description  of  the  America 295 

1782,  Sept.  22.  Memorial   from  Jones  to   Congress  regarding  his  position. 

Made  suggestions  for  the  betterment  of  the  Navy.     Through 
Robert  Morris  asked  permission  to  join  French  expedition 

to  West  Indies  with  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil 296 

9.  Robert  Morris  commended  his  sentiments 297 

5.  The  America  launched  and  delivered  to  Chevalier  de  Martigne 
for  France.  Jones  ordered  to  superintend  her  fitting  out. 
Jones  about  this  time  made  another  effort  to  get  the  Indien, 

then  at  Philadelphia 298 

29.  Jones's  request  to  join  French  squadron  presented  to  Congress .       299 
4.  Request  granted,  Congress  commended  his  zeal,  and  recom- 
mends him  to  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil 300 

24.  French  fleet  sailed  for  the  West  Indies.     Jones  on  the   Tri- 

omphante , 301 

18.  French  fleet  at  Port  Cabello,  waiting  for  Spanish 302 

8.  Notice  of  the  declaration  of  peace  received  by  French  fleet . . .       303 
20.  Jones  ill.     He  sailed  from  Cape  Francois  for  Philadelphia. 

Highly  praised  by  French  officers 304 

18.  Jones  arrived  at  Philadelphia 305 

17.  Attended  religious  services  of  Moravians  at  Bethlehem,  Pa. 

Quieted  a  disturbance 306 

1783,  Aug.    21.  At  Bernam,  Pa.     Wrote  to  Maj.  J.  S.  Sherburne  at   Ports- 

mouth, N.  H.,  that  his  health  was  restored  and  he  might 

visit  that  city 307 


1782,  Oct. 
1782,  Nov. 


1782,  Nov. 
1782,  Dec. 

1782,  Dec. 

1783,  Feb. 
1783,  Apr. 
1783,  Apr. 

1783,  May 
1783,  Aug. 


176  Chronology 


J783,  Oct.     10.  L,etter  to  Robert  Morris  reviewing  his  naval  career  and  injus- 
tice done  him 308 

1783,  Oct.     13.  Applied  for  position  as  United  States  prize  agent  in  Europe  . .       309 
18. 

1783,  Nov.      1.  Appointed  United  States  prize  agent  by  Congress;  to  act  under 

minister  plenipotentiary  at  Paris 310 

1783,  Nov.    10.  Sailed  from  Philadelphia  for  Havre  on  the  packet  Washington .       311 

1783,  Nov.    30.  Bad  weather  forced  the  packet  to  put  into  Plymouth,  Eng- 
land.    Jones  went  to  London  with  dispatches 312 

1783,  Dec.      6.  Arrived  in  Paris 313 

1783,  Dec.     17.  Franklin  authorized  Jones  to  receive  all  prize  money  due  to 

officers  and  men  of  squadron  lately  under  his  command  in 
European  waters 314 

20.  In  Paris.     Presented  to  Louis  XVI  by  the  Mardchal  de  Cas- 
tries     315 

"Life  of  Louis  XVI,"  by  John  Paul  Jones,  published  in  Lon- 
don        316 

1.  Jones  transmitted  his  credentials  to   Mar£chal  de  Castries; 

hoped  for  immediate  settlement  of  prize  cases 317 

10.  Informed  that  amount  of  prize  money  due,  after  all  expenses 

are  paid,  will  be  "283,631  1.  13  s." 318 

1784,  Mar.    25.  Letter  from  Franklin  regarding  prisoners 319 

1784,  June    — .  Prepared  to  return  to  America  with  La  Fayette.     Delayed  by 

settlement  of  prizes ;  papers  not  ready 320 

1784,  Oct.     23.  Mardchal   de   Castries   signed  prize   case  papers.      Payment 

delayed 321 

1784,  Nov.      8.  Lady  Selkirk  informed  by  Jones  that  her  silver,  taken  April 

23,  1778,  had  been  shipped  to  London 322 

I785>  June    23-  De  Castries  urged  to  settle  prize  cases.     Jones  referred  to  royal 

auditor  at  l'Orient 323 

^5^  July    — •  Left  Paris  for  l'Orient 324 

T785»  July     15-  Order  for  payment  of  prize  money  issued 325 

J785,  July     29.  Thomas  Jefferson,  minister  to  France,  informed  of  difficulties 

in  settling  prize  cases ^ 326 

T-1%5i  July    31.  Jones  informed  Jefferson  of  actions  of  Algerines  against  the 

United  States 327 

1785,  Aug.     4.  Lord  Selkirk  acknowledged  receipt  of  the  silver  taken  April 

23,  1778 328 

1785,  Sept.  — .  Prize  money  amounting  to  "  181,039  livres  r  sou  iodeniers" 

paid  to  Jones  for  the  United  States 329 

1785,  Oct.       8.  Proposed  to  Jefferson  that  Doctor  Bancroft  take  his  place  as 

prize  agent  to  Denmark 330 

1785,  Dec.    18.  Letter  from   Count   d'Estaing   praising  Jones's    "Journal." 

Refers  to  his  joining  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati.     One  of 

the  original  members  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati 331 

1786,  Jan.       1.  Jones  presented  his  "Journal"  to  King  Louis  XVI.     Thanked 

his  Majesty  for  honors  conferred  by  him 332 

1786,  Feb.    28.  Jefferson  acknowledged  receipt  of  Jones's  bust  by  Htfudon  . . .       333 
1786,  Aug.    12.  Balance    of    prize    money    after    deducting    Jones's    share, 

"  112,172  1.  2-4,"  placed  with  Jefferson 334 

1786,  Aug.    — .  Alliance  sold  at  Philadelphia  for  $9,750 335 

1786,  Aug.   29.  Jones  sent  his  miniature  done  in  wax  to  Mrs.  Belches,  Edin- 
burgh         336 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  177 


1786,  Sept.     3.  Informed  Jefferson  that  "  bad  health  has  prevented  his  setting 

out  for  Denmark  " 337 

1787,  spring.  Left  Paris  for  Copenhagen  to  settle  prize  claims  in  Denmark. 

Turned  back  from  Brussels  and  sailed  for  the  United  States .       338 

1787,  July  18.  In  New  York.  Wrote  John  Jay  that  he  will  soon  return  to 
Copenhagen.  Spent  summer  in  Pennsylvania.  Urged  Con- 
gress to  do  something  for  relief  of  Americans  in  Algiers  . . .       339 

1787,  Sept.  4.  Wrote  to  Madame  de  T.  Sent  letter  through  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son, October  24,  1787 340 

1787,  Oct.  11.  Settlement  of  prize  claims  in  France  approved  by  Congress. 
Treasury  to  pay  money  ' '  as  soon  as  may  be  among  the 
captors  " 341 

1787,  Oct.  16.  Gold  medal  ordered  by  Congress  for  Jones.  To  be  made  in 
Paris  under  Jefferson's  supervision.     King  of  France  to  be 

informed ■ 342 

Jones  to  be  bearer  of  a  letter  to  King  of  France.     To  proceed 

to  Denmark  as  prize  agent 343 

1787,  Oct.     26.  Notified  by  Congress  that  Jefferson  is  to  manage  Danish  prize 

cases,  but  can  appoint  Jones  or  other  agent 344 

1787,  Nov.  11.  Sailed  from  New  York;  vessel  bound  for  Holland;  captain  of 
vessel  promised  to  land  him  in  France.  Landed  him  at 
Dover.     Passed  some  days  in  London 345 

1787,  Dec.     12.  Jefferson  informed  of  his  being  in  Paris.     Jones  desired  this 

may  not  be  made  known  until  after  an  interview  with  him .       346 

1787,  Dec.    20.  Announced  his  arrival  at  Paris.     Was  informed  that  Russia 

would  like  to  have  him  command  Black  Sea  fleet.     Would 

not  deliver  his  letters  for  King  until  return  from  Denmark  .       347 

1788,  Jan.     24.  Received  from  Jefferson  credentials  as  agent  to  Denmark 348 

1788,  Feb.      1.  Interviewed  by  M.  Simolin,  minister  from  Russia  to  France, 

at  house  of  Chevalier  Littlepage 349 

1788,  Mar.      4.  Cordially  welcomed  upon  arrival  at  Copenhagen 350 

1788,  Mar.    11.  Reported  to  Jefferson  his  arrival  and  illness 351 

1788,  Mar.    18.  Informed  Jefferson  of  presentation  at  Danish  court 352 

1788,  Mar.    24.  Count  Bernstorff  informed  of  his  mission  to  Denmark 353 

1788,  Mar.    25.  Informed  Jefferson  regarding  Russian  offer 354 

1788,  Mar.    30.  Prompt  reply  asked  from  Denmark  as  to  payment  of  prize 

money  due  United  States 355 

1788,  Apr.  4.  Informed  by  Count  Bernstorff  that  he  has  not  full  powers  need- 
ful for  a  full  agreement.  Jones  awarded  a  pension  of  1,500 
crowns  a  year  by  Denmark  in  recognition  of  respect  shown 

Danish  flag  when  in  the  North  Sea 356 

1788,  Apr.      5.  Count  Bernstorff  informed  that  prize  claims  will  be  negotiated 

and  settled  by  Baron  de  Blome  with  Jefferson  in  Paris 357 

17S8,  Apr.    18.  Jefferson  informed  of  the  termination  of  the  Danish  mission, 

and  that  Jones  has  decided  to  enter  the  Russian  service 358 

1788,    Mar.    or  Grade  of  captain  commandant  with  rank  of  major-general 

Apr.  offered  Jones  by  Empress  of  Russia  through  Baron  Krudner  .       359 

1788,  Apr.    23    Arrived  at  St.  Petersburg  after  dangerous  journey 360 

(old  style. )« 

a  The  dates  herein  of  events  connected  with  Jones's  service  with  Russia  are 
generally  "old  style,"  or  eleven  days  earlier  than  the  present  "new  style "  or 
Gregorian  Calendar. — Compiler. 

7257—07 12 


i78 


Ch ro no  I o  gy 


788,  Apr.     25.  First  audience  with  Empress  Catherine  II  of  Russia 361 

788,  May      2.  Jefferson  informed  General  Washington  of  the  invitation  to 

Jones  to  enter  the  Russian  service 362 

788,  May      7.  Jones  left  Catherine's  palace  with  a  letter  from  her  to  Prince 

Potemkin  at  St.  Elizabeth 363 

788,  May    19.  Arrived  at  St.  Elizabeth ;  was  ordered  to  command  of  Russian 

fleet  in  the  L,iman 364 

788,  May    20.  Left  St.  Elizabeth  to  take  command  of  the  naval  force  at  the 

mouth  of  the  Dnieper  River.     Set  out  for  Cherson 365 

788,  May    26.  Hoisted  his  flag  as  rear-admiral  on  the  Wolodimir 366 

788,  May    28.  Reenforced  the  fleet  of  the  Prince  of  Nassau  with  one  of  his 

ships 367 

788,  May    29.  The  Russian  squadron  commanded  the  passage  of  the  L,iman.       368 
788,  June      6,  Successful  engagement  with  the  Turkish  fleet.     Turks  driven 
7.  back.      Jones    commanded  in    person  the  flotilla  of    the 

Prince  of  Nassau  and  his  own  ships 369 

788,  June  8.  Potemkin  thanked  Jones  for  his  victory  of  June  7,  over  the 
Turks.  The  Order  of  St.  Anne  presented  him  in  recog- 
nition of  this  service  to  Russia 370 

788,  June    10.  Jones  thanked  Prince  Potemkin  for  his  commendation 371 

788,  June    16.  Turks  reenforced;  advanced  to  attack 372 

788,  June    17.  Jones  engaged  the  Turks.     Captain  Pacha  driven  back 373 

788,  June    18.  Renewed  attack  by  Turks;  their  vessels  driven   ashore  and 

burned 374 

788,  June  20.  Potemkin  thanked  for  letter  of  June  19.  Referred  to  engage- 
ment of  the  16th 375 

788,  June  28.  Jones  cut  off  communication  between  Oczakow  and  Beresane. 
Captured  two  chaloupes  and  one  batteau  laden  with  powder 

and  shot 376 

788,  June    29.  Jones  received  a  warning  letter  from  Prince  Potemkin 377 

788,  July       1.  Jones  withdrew  frigates  by  order  of  Prince  Potemkin 378 

788,  July     10.  Ordered  by  Potemkin  to  establish  blockade  between  Oczakow 

and  Beresane 379 

788,  July     14.  Jones  inspected  entrance  to  the  Iyiman 380 

788,  July     17.  Flotilla  to  be  added  to  Jones's  command 381 

788,  July     18.  Jones  to  send  five  frigates  to  be  refitted  at  Glouboca 382 

788,  July     19.  Vessels  sent  off  at  daybreak.     Thanked  by  Potemkin 383 

788,  July      21  Operated  against   Turkish  gunboats.      Ran   close   in  under 
to  July  31.         Fort  Hassan  under  heavy  fire  from  Turks.     Secured  one  of 

their  gunboats  with  aid  of  Lieutenant  Edwards 384 

788,  July     28.  Jefferson  informed  Mr.  Cutting  of  Jones's  brilliant  victory 

over  the  Turks 385 

788,  Aug.      1.  Jones  neglected  to  salute   flag  of   Vice- Admiral    Prince   of 

Nassau-Siegen 386 

788,  Aug.     19  Potemkin  proposed  by  letter  that  Jones  take  command  of  the 

Sebastopol  fleet 387 

788,  Aug.  29.  Requested  Jefferson  to  attend  to  some  private  affairs  in  Paris. 
Busts  to  be  sent  to  General  St.  Clair,  Mr.  Ross,  of  Philadel- 
phia, John  Jay,  General  Irvine,  Secretary  Thompson,  Colonel 
Wadsworth,  of  New  York,  Mr.  Madison  and  Colonel  Car- 

rington,  of  Virginia ....       388 

Madison  considered  bust  an  exact  likeness 389 

1788,  Aug.    30.  Unsuccessful  attack  upon  Turkish  flotilla 390 


John    P  aul  J  one  s    Commemoration  179 


1788,  Sept.    18.  Potemkin  gave  secret  orders  to  attack  Turks.     Preparations 

made.     Jones  ordered  to  defer  operations 391 

1788,  Oct.  10.  Jones  to  relinquish  command  of  the  fleet.  lieutenant  Ed- 
wards, one  of  his  officers,  failed  in  attempt  to  dislodge  a 
gun  from  one  of  enemy's  ships 392 

1788,  Oct.  13.  Ordered  by  Potemkin  to  drive  back  Captain  Pacha.  Insinua- 
tions in  wording  of  letter  resented  by  Jones 393 

1788,  Oct.  18.  Informed  that  Admiral  Mordwinoff  had  been  ordered  to  super- 
sede him  in  command  of  squadron 394 

Ordered  by  Empress  Catherine  to  proceed  to  St.  Petersburg 
for  service  in  the  North  Sea.  Order  addressed  to  Jones  as 
vice-admiral 395 

1788,  Oct.     31.  Recommended  by  Potemkin  to  Empress  Catherine  for  zeal 

displayed  in  her  service 396 

1788,  Nov.      9.  Embarked  in  an  open  galley  for  Cherson.     Suffered  greatly 

on  the  journey 397 

1788,  Nov.    12.  Arrived  at  Cherson;  detained  there  by  illness 398 

1788,  Dec.      6.  Proceeded  to  St.  Elizabeth 399 

1788,  Dec.    28.  Arrived  at  St.  Petersburg.     Ordered  to  appear  at  court 400 

1788,  Dec.    31.  Audience  with  the  Empress  Catherine  II  of  Russia 401 

1789,  Jan.     15.  Informed  Jefferson  of  return  to  St.  Petersburg 402 

1789,  Jan.     20.  Proposed  alliance  between   Russia  and  America  against  the 

Algerines  and  for  defense  of  Mediterranean.      Would  like 
command  of  combined  fleet 403 

1 789,  Feb.       1 .  Further  propositions  of  alliance  between  Russia  and  America 

in  the  Mediterranean 404 

1789,  Mar.  23.  Informed  by  Jefferson  that  his  letter  of  January  31  is  the  only 
information  received  from  him  since  he  left  Copenhagen 
(about  March,  1788) 405 

1789,  Apr.     13.  Forwarded  to  Prince  Potemkin  proof  of  his  innocence  of  a 

slander  against  him 406 

1789,  May    17.  Requested   permission  of  Catherine  to  return  to  France  or 

America 407 

1789,  June      6.  Requested  an  interview  with  Count  Besborodko 408 

1789,  June  27.  Informed  that  he  has  been  granted  leave  for  two  years,  with 
all  appointments  belonging  to  his  military  rank,  by  Her 
Imperial  Majesty 409 

1789,  July       7.  Took  leave  of  Catherine  II 410 

1789,  July      14.  Made  a  third  application  for  interview  with  Besborodko 411 

1789,  July  21.  Count  de  Segur  defended  Jones  against  slanders.  Sent  an 
article  to  be  published  in  the  Gazette  de  France,  vindicating 
Jones's  character 412 

1789,  July     24.  Reviewed  campaign  of  L,iman  in  letter  to  Potemkin 413 

~  J789>  July     29.  End  of  the  "Journal  of  the  Liman,"  written  for  the  Empress 

of  Russia  by  Jones 414 

1789,  July  30.  Informed  of  his  appointments  and  arrearages  by  Count  Besbo- 
rodko         415 

1789,  Sept.  — .  Left  St.  Petersburg  for  Warsaw 416 

1789,  Sept.  25.  Wrote  from  Warsaw  to  Empress  Catherine.  (See  letter  Feb- 
ruary 25-March  8,  1791 ) 417 

1789,  Nov.      2.  Informed   General  Kosciusko   that  he  would   leave  Warsaw 

1 '  this  day  for  Vienna  " 418 

1789,  Dec.    20.  Wrote  to  General  Washington  from  Amsterdam 419 


180  Chronology 


1789,  Dec.  27.  Letters  to  John  Ross  expressing  desire  to  return  to  America 
and  purchase  a  farm,  and  to  Benjamin  Franklin  inclosing 
documents  from  Count  de  Segur,  and  recalling  the  tenth 
anniversary  of  sailing  of  the  Allia?ice  from  the  Texel 420 

1789,  Dec.    29.  Justified  his  conduct  in  Russia  to  Baron  Krudner 421 

1790,  Feb.      9.  All  calumny  removed  by  Count  de  Segur 422 

1790,  Mar.    26.  Wrote  to  sister,  Mrs.  Taylor 423 

1790,  Apr.    — ,  In  England  attending  to  private  business.     Received  with 

May  — .  distinction.     Returned  to  Paris 424 

1790,  July     24.  Congratulated  Potemkin  upon  Russian  success 425 

1 79 1,  Feb.      1.  Proposed  to  Gouverneur  Morris  a  plan  for  attack  on  India         , 

should  Russia  and  England  engage  in  war 426 

1791,  Feb.  25.  Asked  Empress  Catherine  to  cancel  his  leave  if  she  does  not 
require  his  service.     Sent  her  his  ' '  Journal  of  the  Liman 

Campaign  " 427 

1791,  Mar.  20.  Asked  Jefferson  to  obtain  for  him  from  Congress  permission 
to  wear  the  Russian  Order  of  St.  Anne,  as  it  will  be  on  bust 

ordered  for  North  Carolina 428 

1791,  Mar.    23.  Jefferson  informed  by  Chevalier  Littlepage  of  Jones's  brilliant 

work  in  Russia 429 

1791,  Apr.    20.  Met  Lord  Daer,  son  of  Lord  Selkirk,  at  dinner 430 

1791 ,  July      4.  Called  on  Gouverneur  Morris 43 1 

1791,  July  9.  Sent  copy  of  his  bust  to  Baron  Grimm.  Referred  to  inven- 
tions and  styles  of  war  vessels 432 

1 791,  Aug.  31.  Informed  by  Jefferson  that  his  good  conduct  required  no  proof 
in  America.     Congress  could  take  no  action  regarding  the 

wearing  of  the  order 433 

1 791,  Nov.    — .  Published    "Treatise  on  the   Existing  State  of  the  French 

Navy  " 434 

1 79 1,  Dec.      7.  Wrote  La  Fayette  that  he  is  to  be  presented  to  Louis  XVI  as  a 

Russian  admiral.  Will  later  present  to  His  Majesty  letters 
from  Congress,  given  him  when  last  in  the  United  States 
[November,  1787] 435 

1792,  Mar.    14.  Urged  upon  the  French  minister  of  marine  the  payment  of 

money  he  advanced  for  salaries  of  Bonhomme  Richard's 
crew 436 

1792,  June  1.  "Admiral  John  Paul  Jones's"  appointment  as  United  States 
Commissioner  to  treat  with  the  Bey  of  Algiers  for  the  re- 
lease of  captive  Americans,  confirmed  by  Congress.  In  con- 
formity with  act  of  Congress  May  8,  1792 437 

1792,  July  11.  Jones  attended  the  meeting  of  the  National  Assembly,  Paris. 
Dined  at  the  Caf  e"  Timon.  Toasted  as  the  '  ■  coming  admiral 
of  France  " 438 

1792,  July  18.  Admiral  John  Paul  Jones  died  in  Paris  at  his  residence,  No.  42 
Rue  de  Tournon.  Gouverneur  Morris  had  drawn  up  his  will 
a  few  hours  previous  to  his  death 439 

1792,  July  19.  M.  Le  Brun  announced  Jones's  death  to  the  National  Assembly 
(of  France).  It  decreed  that  a  deputation  of  12  members 
attend  his  funeral.  Some  of  the  members  proposed  to  ' '  put 
him  in  the  Pantheon."     Members  of  the  National  Assembly 

wore  mourning  in  his  honor 440 

M.  Beaupoil,  French  officer,  notified  Jones's  sisters  of  his 
death,  told  them  of  his  will,  and  sent  a  schedule  of  his 
property 441 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  181 


1792,  July  20.  Body  put  in  a  leaden  coffin  to  be  convenient  for  removal  to 
the  United  States  when  desired.  Prominent  Americans  and 
French  attended  funeral.  Swiss  Protestant  "  Pasteur"  Jules 
Matron  pronounced  an  oration .  Gou  verneur  Morris ' '  desired 
that  he  (Jones)  might  be  buried  in  a  private  and  economical 

manner  " 442 

Thomas  Waters  Griffith,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  was  among  those 
present  at  Jones's  funeral.  He  stated  that  there  was  "no 
priest,  no  service."  "A  volley  of  muskets  was  fired  by 
soldiers  over  his  grave,"  which  was  in  "one  of  the  common 
cemeteries  of  Paris. "     "  No  priest ' '  doubtless  refers  to  there 

being  no  Roman  Catholic  priest 443 

Jones's  body  deposited  in  Cemetery  for  Foreign  Protestants  at 

the  instance  of  Gouverneur  Morris 444 

1792,  Aug.     9.  Colonel  Blackden  wrote  to  Mrs.  Taylor,  Paul  Jones's  sister,  a 

full  account  of  his  last  illness,  death,  and  burial 445 

1796,  May    20.  Information  published  concerning  Jones's  shares  in  the  Ohio 

Company 446 

1798.  "Citoyen  "  Andre"  published  in  Paris  in  French,  "  Memoires 

de  Paul  Jones."     (This  is  the  "Journal  for  the  King"  so 

often  mentioned. — Compiler. ) 447 

A  brief,  unreliable  sketch  of  the  Life  of  Paul  Jones,  published 

in  New  York  by  ' '  Duyckinck  " 448 

— .  Niles's  Register  published  first   installment  of  an   English 

translation  of  Andre's  Memoires 449 

1.  Niles's  Register  published  a  notice  that  the  New  York  His- 
torical Society  will  be  furnished,  by  Jones's  niece,  with  origi- 
nal papers  from  which  to  prepare  a  biography.  About  the 
the  same  date  Col.  J.  H.  Sherburne  advertised  for  data  for 

same  purpose 450 

824,  Aug.  7.  Niles's  Register  tells  of  the  finding  of  414  Jones's  original  let- 
ters and  documents  in  a  "  huckster's  shop"  in  New  York. 
They  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  Mr.  Wiley;  later, 
through  a  Mr.  Ward,  came  into  the  possession  of  Col.  J.  H. 

t  Sherburne 45 1 

Colonel  Sherburne  published  first  edition  of  the  ' '  Life  of  the 

Chevalier  John  Paul  Jones  " 452 

28.  Niles's  Register  stated  that  the  Journal  of  John  Paul  Jones 

was  to  be  published  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H 453 

Memoirs  of  Paul  Jones,  published  by  Oliver  &  Boyd  in  Edin- 
burgh,   from    papers  in  the  possession  of  Jones's  family. 

(Known  as  the  Janette  Taylor  edition) 454 

A  Life  of  John  Paul  Jones,  published  in  New  York  by  R.  C. 

Sands 455 

183 1.  Lieut.  A.  B.  Pinkham,  U.  S.  Navy,  while  traveling  in  Scot- 
land, visited  the  birthplace  of  Jones,  and  had  the  house  in 
which  Jones  was  born  restored  at  his  own  expense.  Miss 
Janet  Taylor,  niece  of  Jones,  gave  Lieutenant  Pinkham  the 
miniature  now  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy,  in  recog- 
nition of  his  kindness 456 

1831,  June    13.  William  P.  Taylor,  nephew  of  John  Paul  Jones,  appointed 

midshipman  United  States  Navy,  died  December  14,  1836.  .       457 


182  Chronology 


1834,  June    30.  Congress  authorized  that  a  frigate  be  named  John  Paul  Jones. 

Not  carried  out 458 

1837,  Feb.  28.  Col.  J.  H.  Sherburne  discovered  an  unpaid  balance  of  $50,000 
in  the  United  States  Treasury  due  to  Jones,  his  officers  and 
men  for  prizes  captured 459 

1839,  Feb.  18.  Letters  of  administration  granted  by  the  orphan's  court  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  to  Colonel  Sherburne  to  enable  him  to 
carry  out  the  instructions  of  Congress  regarding  the  money 

due  for  prizes  taken  by  Jones's  squadron 460 

1841.  Capt.  A.  vS.  Mackenzie,  U.  S.  Navy,  published  a  "Life of  John 

Paul  Jones  " 461 

1844,  Jan.     31.  Heirs  of  Jones  petitioned  Congress  for  land  in  Virginia  that 

had  belonged  to  him 462 

1845.  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  asked  by  Col- 

onel Sherburne  to  grant  permission  for  the  remains  of  Jones 
to  be  brought  to  the  United  States  in  a  man-of-war  return- 
ing from  the  Mediterranean.     No  reply  given  to  the  request.       463 

1846.  J.  Fenimore  Cooper,  published  a  brief  life  of  Jones.     This  was 

followed  by  sketches  of  the  naval  hero  by  many  authors. . .       464 

1847,  Dec.    28.  Colonel  Sherburne  wrote  to  Hon.  R.  Rush,  minister  to  France, 

with  regard  to  removal  of  Jones's  remains 465 

1848,  Jan.       3.  Mr.  Rush  replied  that  he  would  give  Colonel  Sherburne  any 

aid  in  his  power  in  the  removal,  from  Paris  for  interment  in 
Congressional  Cemetery,  Washington,  D.  C. ,  of  Jones's  body .       466 

1848,  Mar.    21.  Congress  authorized  the  payment  of  arrears  of  pay  and  prize 

money  to  John  Paul  Jones's  heirs 467 

1848,  July  6.  Appropriation  for  payment  of  balance  of  $50,000  to  heirs  of 
Jones,  his  officers  and  men,  and  the  Danish  claim,  $150,000, 
finally  made 468 

1851,  Jan.  27.  Secretary  of  the  Navy  informed  that  a  revolution  in  France 
had  prevented  Colonel  Sherburne  from  bringing  back 
remains.  Asked  to  be  allowed  to  bring  them  on  the  U.  S. 
frigate  St.  Lawrence  when  she  returned  to  the  United  States. 
Americans  in  Liverpool  had  subscribed  $300  toward  a  fund 
for  reinterment 469 

185 1,  Jan.  30.  Capt.  Joshua  R.  Sands  ordered  to  transport  Jones's  remains 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  upon  his  return  from  Southampton  to 
New  York 470 

1851,  Jan.     30.  Department  informed  Colonel  Sherburne  of  orders  given  to 

Captain  Sands 471 

1 85 1,  Feb.    20,  Colonel  Sherburne  to  accompany  remains  on  board  the  St. 

21.  Lawrence  upon  her  return  voyage 472 

185 1,  May      6.  Captain  Sands  notified  Colonel  Sherburne  from  Southampton 

that  he  was  ready  to  receive  the  remains  and  to  sail 473 

Mr.  N.  Billings,  attorney  for  F.  K.  Lowden,  and  legal  repre- 
sentative of  Jones's  heirs  in  Scotland,  notified  Colonel  Sher- 
burne that  he  had  taken  steps  to  prevent  removal  of  remains .       474 

1 851,  May     16.  Mr.  Billings  apologized  to  Colonel  Sherburne.     Wrote  "will 

be  glad  to  aid  in  search  for  remains  " 475 

1 85 1,  May     19,  Correspondence  between   Colonel   Sherburne  at   Paris,    and 
27.                  Captain  Sands  at  Lisbon,  regarding  Mr.  Billings's  interfer- 
ence.    Sands  regretted  that  he  could  not  have  the  honor  of 
conveying  the  body  of  Jones  to  United  States 476 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration 


183 


1851,  July  14.  The  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Graham,  informed 
that  Colonel  Sherburne's  search  of  the  records  of  Paris  and 
the  files  of  the  Moniteur  showed  that  the  Protestant  Ceme- 
tery in  the  rear  of  the  Hotel  Dieu,  where  John  Paul  Jones 
was  supposed  to  have  been  buried,  had  been  sold  and  all 
bones  removed  to  catacombs.  Mr.  Billings  assisted  in  the 
search 477 

1851,  August.     Colonel  Sherburne  in  New  York,  sent  to  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Gra- 

ham a  copy  of  the  second  edition  of  his  ' '  L4f e  and  Charac- 
ter of  John  Paul  Jones,"  recently  published 478 

1852,  June      5.  Death  of  Col.  J.  H.  Sherburne,  Washington,  D.  C 479 

1859.  M.  Charles  Read,  discovered  entry  in  an  old  burial  register, 

of  interment  of  Jones   in    (Dutch)    Foreign   Cemetery   in 
northeast  part  of  Paris.    Made  copy  from  register  89,  1799. .       480 
i86t,  July     29.  Congress  requested  a  statement  of  proportion  of  fund  due 

heirs  of  John  Paul  Jones 481 

1861,  Aug.      6.  Secretary  of  Treasury  submitted  to  Congress  statement  of  prize 

money  due  to  officers  and  seamen  of  the  Bonhomme  Richard 
and  Alliance.  To  Bonhomme  Richard,  191,024.34;  to  the 
Alliance,  $74,574.03 482 

1862,  Jan.     3.  Above  statements  presented  to  Congress 483 

1862.  U.  S.  S.  Paul  Jones  built  and  put  in  service 484 

1869,  Dec.  — .  Charles  Dickens  made  the  erroneous  statement  that  the  remains 
of  John  Paul  Jones  had  been  brought  to  the  United  States 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  in  185 1,  for  interment  in  the  Congres- 
sional Cemetery  at  Washington,  D.  C 485 

1899,  July  31.  Hon.  John  Hay,  Secretary  of  State,  informed  that  Mr.  Charles 
Read  (antiquary)  had  made  a  copy  of  the  burial  register 
destroyed  in  1871 486 

1905,  Feb.  9.  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  United  States  ambassador  to  France, 
announced  that  he  had  located  the  burial  place  of  John  Paul 
Jones 487 

1905,  Feb.  14.  President  Roosevelt  transmitted  General  Porter's  report  to 
Congress.  Recommended  appropriation  of  $35,000  to  defray 
expense  of  search  in  Cemetery  St.  Louis  (no  such  appro- 
priation was  made).  Also  recommended  an  appropriation 
for  monuments  to  John  Paul  Jones  and  John  Barry 488 

1905,  Feb.    22.  At  banquet  in  Paris  General  Porter  stated  that  after  a  search 

of  five  years  he  had  found  the  long-sought  site 489 

1905,  Apr.  14.  Ambassador  Porter  cabled  to  Washington  that  John  Paul 
Jones's  body  had  been  found  and  identified  by  French 
scientists 49° 

1905,  June  15.  A  silk  flag  presented  to  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee  by  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution  Society  to  be  used  in  con- 
nection with  the  return  of  Jones's  remains.  Afterwards  to 
be  hung  in  Continental  Hall,  Washington,  D.  C 491 

1905,  June  18.  Squadron  under  command  of  Rear-Admiral  C.  D.  Sigsbee, 
sailed  for  France  to  bring  John  Paul  Jones's  body  to  the 
United  States 492 

1905,  July  6.  Body  of  John  Paul  Jones  delivered  by  Ambassador  Porter  to 
Assistant  Secretary  of  State  Loomis,  and  by  him  delivered 
to  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee  in  the  American  Church  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  Rue  de  l'Alma,  Paris,  with  appropriate  cere- 
monies         493 


1 84 


Ch rono logy 


1905,  July      8.  The  United  States  squadron,  under  command  of  Rear- Admiral 

Sigsbee,  sailed  from  Cherbourg  for  the  United  States 494 

1905,  July  23.  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee's  squadron,  the  Brooklyn,  Galveston, 
Chattanooga,  and  Tacoma,  convoyed  by  the  Alabama, 
Massachusetts,  Illinois,  and  Iowa,  and  the  French  cruiser 
Jurien  de  la  Graviere,  dropped  anchor  off  Annapolis,  Md.       495 

1905,  July     24.  Body  of  John  Paul  Jones  placed  in  brick  vault,  Naval  Academy 

grounds,  Annapolis,  with  religious  and  military  ceremonies.       496 

1905,  Sept.  23.  Tablet  erected  on  Badgers  (formerly  Langdons)  Island,  in 
harbor  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  in  "Memory  of  the  Conti- 
nental sloop  Ranger" 497 

1905,  Oct.     — .  Gen.  Horace  Porter's  account  of  the  finding  of  John  Paul 

Jones's  body  published  in  the  Century  Magazine 498 

1905.  Report  of  Gen.  Horace  Porter  in  Foreign  Relations 499 

1905,  Dec.  4,  6.  Bills  introduced  in  Congress  by  Senator  Lodge  and  Repre- 

sentative Currier  for  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  John 

Paul  Jones  in  Washington,  D.  C 500 

1906,  Feb.       1.  The  John  Paul  Jones  Club  of  Portsmouth,  N.   H.,  desired 

Masonic  honors  at  final  interment  or  commemoration  of 
Jones 501 

1906,  Apr.  24.  Commemorative  ceremonies  held  in  the  armory  of  the  Naval 
Academy,  Annapolis.  Casket  containing  the  body  was 
taken  from  brick  vault  to  armory,  and  at  close  of  cere- 
monies was  deposited  in  Bancroft  Hall.  The  military  escort 
was  composed  of  officers  and  men  from  the  French  and 
American  squadrons  in  the  harbor,  the  midshipmen  of  the 
Naval  Academy,  and  two  troops  of  United  States  cavalry, 
under  command  of  Col.  A.  P.  Hatfield.  Masonic  services 
were  held  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  Kittery  and  Berwick,  Me., 
and  Alexandria,  Va.,  on  the  same  day 502 

1906,  May      9.  Joint  Resolution  extending  the  thanks  of  Congress  to  General 

Horace  Porter  for  recovery  of  the  body  of  John  Paul  Jones .       503 

1906,  June  8.  Bill  for  the  erection  of  monument  to  John  Paul  Jones  ap- 
proved        504 

1906,  June    11.  Portrait  of  John  Paul  Jones,  painted  by  Miss  Cecelia  Beaux, 

presented  to  the  Naval  Academy  by  the  class  of  188 1 505 

1906,  June    29.  Concurrent  resolution  of  Congress  provided  for  printing  11,000 

copies  of  addresses,  etc. ,  of  the  commemorative  services  at 
Annapolis,  Md. ,  April  24,  1906 506 

1907,  Jan.     30.  Bill  introduced  in  Congress  to  establish  September  23,  to  be 

observed  in  the  Navy,  as  Paul  Jones  Day 507 

1907,  Mar.  1.  Letter,  signed  "Chevr.  Paul  Jones,"  to  Board  of  Admiralty, 
stating  amount  of  pay  due  him  from  December  7,  1775,  to 
June  26,  1781,  sold  at  auction  in  New  York  for  $142.50 508 


John    Paul   Jones    Commemoration  185 


LIST  OF  AUTHORITIES  CONSULTED 

Me"moires  de  Paul  Jones,  edited  by  "Citoyen  Andr6,"  Paris,  1798. 

Life  of  Celebrated  Paul  Jones,  published  by  E.  Duyckinck,  New  York,  1809. 

Niles's  Weekly  Register. 

Life  and  Character  of  John  Paul  Jones,  by  Col.  J.  H.  Sherburne,  1825,  185 1. 

Memoirs  of  Rear-Admiral  Paul  Jones,  published  Edinburgh,  1830. 

Life  of  John  Paul  Jones,  by  R.  C.  Sands,  New  York,  1830. 

Life  of  John  Paul  Jones,  by  A.  S.  Mackenzie,  U.  S.  Navy,  1841. 

Life  of  John  Paul  Jones  and  History  of  U.  S.  Navy,  by  J.  F.  Cooper. 

Paul  Jones,  Founder  of  the  American  Navy,  by  A.  C.  Buell. 

Commodore  Paul  Jones,  by  C.  T.  Brady. 

Paul  Jones,  by  M.  E.  Seawell. 

Congressional  Records. 

American  Archives. 

Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vols.  1,  2,  3,  4,  7,  8,  12. 

Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vols.  1,  2,  3. 

Naval  Chronicle,  by  Goldsborough,  vol.  1. 

Files  and  Records  of  Navy  Department. 

Stevens  Facsimiles,  Library  of  Navy  Department. 

Life  of  Esek  Hopkins,  by  Field. 

Life  of  John  Barry,  by  Griffin. 

Diary  of  Dr.  Ezra  Green. 

Life  of  Com.  Tucker,  by  Sheppard. 

A  Relic  of  the  Revolution,  by  Rev.  R.  Levesey.     (Herbert's  Diary.) 

My  Scrapbook  of  the  French  Revolution  (T.  W.  Griffith),  by  Mrs.  Latimer. 

History  of  the  Flag  and  History  of  the  Portsmouth  Navy-Yard,  Preble. 

United  States  Navy,  1775-1853,  Emmons. 

Original  Commission  of  1792  in  Kane  collection,  New  York,  and  original  draft  in 

Library  of  Congress. 
Diary  and  Letters  of  Gouverneur  Morris. 

Calendar  of  John  Paul  Jones'  Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  1903. 
Copies  of  Logs  of  the  Ranger,  Bonhomme  Richard,  Serapis,  Alliance,  and  Ariel. 
Type-written  copy  of  Letter-Book  of  John  Paul  Jones,  Naval  Academy,  vols.  1,  2,  3. 
Type-written  copy  of  original  logs  and    correspondence    preserved  at  St.    Marys 

Isle,  in  the  Charter-room  of  Lord  Selkirk's  house. 
John  Paul  Jones    Miscellany,  vols.   1,  2,   3.     This    includes  pamphlets,   magazine 

articles,  and  copies  of  original  correspondence  in  Navy  Department  Library. 
Letter  from    Miss  Janette  Taylor  to  James    Fenimore   Cooper,  October  28,  1843, 

published  in  Proc.  U.  S.  Naval  Institute,  June,  1907. 
National  Intelligencer,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  7,  1852. 
A  number  of  encyclopedias  and  French  and  English  Histories. 
Dictionnaire  Larousse,  old  and  new  editions. 
Report  of  Gen.  Horace  Porter. 


186  Chronology 


SPECIFIC  REFERENCES 

i.  Mackenzie,  vol.  i,  p.  2.  Memoirs,  1830,  vol.  1,  p.  1. 

2-3.  Mackenzie,  vol.  r,  p.  8.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  pp.  5,  6. 

4.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  9.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  7. 

5.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  10.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  7. 
6-7.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  11.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  7. 

8.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  15. 

9.  John  Paul  Jones  Miscellany,  vol.  1,  No.  3;  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  6. 
10.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  pp.  8,  12.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  12. 

11-15.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  pp.  9-1 1,  13,  17,  18.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  pp.  13-15,  17. 

16.  Junius  Davis  pamphlet  and  letters  from  A.  and  W.  Jones,  John  Paul  Jones 

Misc.,  vol.  3.     Proc.  U.  S.  Naval  Institute,  June,  1907. 

17.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  1,  No.  3;  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  6. 
18-23.  Buell,  vol.  1,  pp.  24-32. 

24.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  4,  p.  360. 

25.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  28. 

26.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  1,  p.  281.     Sherburne,  [851,  p.  11. 

27.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  30.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  23.     Sands,  p.  305  (letter 

dated  Oct.  10,  1783).     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  17. 

28.  Life  of  Esek  Hopkins,  Field,  p.  98.     Biographies  of  Jones. 

29.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  4,  p.  964. 

30-32.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  pp.  25,  26,  28.     Memoirs,  pp.  32,  34.     Sherburne,  1851, 
p.  12. 

33.  Emmons,  U.  S.  Navy,  1775-1853,  p.  41.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  13. 

34.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  28.     Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  13.     Buell,  vol.  1,  p.  50. 

35.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  5,  p.  932. 

36.  Calendar  John  Paul  Jones  Manuscripts,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  10. 

37-38.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  6,  pp.  418,511.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  16. 

39.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  6,  p.  511. 

40.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  19. 

41.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  36. 

42-43.  Memoirs,   vol.   1,   p.   36.     American   Archives,   series  4,  vol.   6,  pp.   820, 
844,  972. 

44.  American  Archives,  series  4,  vol.  6,  p.  980. 

45.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  37.     Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  7. 

46.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  37.     Memoires  (Andr6),  p.  7.     Sands,  p.  306. 

47.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  37. 

48.  American  Archives,  series  5,  vol.  1,  p.  977. 
49-50.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  29.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  38. 

51-52.  Emmons,  U.  S.  Navy,  1775-1853,  p.  43.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  22. 

53.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  21. 

54.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  II,  p.  381. 

55.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  22. 

56-58.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  26.     American  Archives,  series  5,  vol.  2,  pp.  1194,  1303. 

Vol.  3,  p.  491. 
59-63.  Emmons,  U.  S.  Navy,  1775-1853,  p.  43.     American  Archives,  series  5,  vol. 

3,  p.  1282. 

64.  Sands,  p.  41.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  42. 

65.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  27.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  42.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  32. 

66.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  27.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  15. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  187 


67-68.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  42.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  35.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS., 

Lib.  Cong.,  p.  17. 
69-70.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  42.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  35.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS., 

Lib.  Cong.,  p.  19. 
71-72.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  Ill,  p.  71. 

73.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  20.     Sands,  p.  66. 

74.  Buell,  vol.  1,  p.  71.     J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  119. 

75.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  41.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  23. 

76.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  37.     Mdmoires  (Andr6),  p.  17.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  pp. 

53.  54- 
77-78.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.37,  38. 

79.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  Ill,  p.  194. 

80.  Calendar  J.  P.J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  23.     Sherburne,  p.  38. 

81.  Calendar.     J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  25.     J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2, 

p.  142. 
82-83.  J-  P-  J-  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2,  p.  137;  vol.  1,  No.  2,  pp.  452,  453. 
84.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  40. 
85-  J-  P-  J-  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2,  p.  141. 

86.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  57.     Mernoires  (Andr6),  p.  18. 

87.  Buell,  vol.  1,  p.  82.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  33.     Mackenzie, 

vol.  1,  p.  47. 

88.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  48.     History  Portsmouth  Navy-Yard  (Preble),  p.  14. 

Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  30,  MSS.  copy. 

89.  Log  of  Ranger,  p.  1.     Emmons,  U.  S.  Navy  1775-1853,  p.  45.     Ezra  Green's 

Diary,  p.  31. 

90.  Log  Ranger,  p.  4.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  33.     Mernoires  (Andre),  p.  18. 

91.  Buell,  vol.  1,  p.  86. 

92.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2,  p.  173. 

93.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  44. 

94.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  56. 

95.  Log  Ranger,  p.  16.  B.  F.  Stevens  Facsimiles,  759. 

96.  Log  Ranger,  p.  19. 

97-98.  Log  Ranger,  p.  19.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  33. 

99.  Log  Ranger,  p.  20.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  36. 

100.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  pp.  54,  55.  1 

101-103.  Log  Ranger,  pp.  25,  26,  29. 

104-106.  Letter  Book  of  John  Paul  Jones  at  U.  S.  Naval  Academy,  pt.  1,  pp.  9,  14, 15. 

107.  Log  Ranger,  p.  34.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  36. 

108.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  pp.  37,  48.     Log  Ranger,  p.  35.     Ezra  Green's 

Diary,  p.  37. 
109-111.  Log  Ranger,   pp.    37,38.     Ezra   Green's   Diary,   p.   37.     Letter  Book  of 

J.  P.  J.,pt.  1,  pp.  37,48. 
112-113.  Log  Ranger,  p.  39.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  38.     Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J., 

pt.  1,  pp.  23,39.     Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  44-45- 

114.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  p.  37.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  pp.  39,  40.     Manu- 

scripts from  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

115.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  pp.  44,  45.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  40. 
116-118.  Log  Ranger,  pp.  41,46.     Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  pp.  21,  22.     Manu- 
scripts from  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

1 19-120.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  p.  37.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  51. 

121.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  p.  33. 
122-123.  Log  Ranger,  p.  48. 


188  Chronology 


124-128.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  pp.  37,  56,  58,  60,  64. 

129.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  70.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.     MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  44. 

130.  Life  of  Commodore  Samuel  Tucker  (Sheppard),  pp.  290-291. 

131.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  108.     Sands,  p.  114. 

132.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  p.  83.     Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  42.     Sands, 

p.  118. 

133.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  329. 

134.  Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  43. 

135-139.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  1,  pp.  95,  96,  105-109.     Sands,  p.  124. 

140.  Ezra  Green's  Diary,  p.  44. 
141-142.  Buell,  vol.  1,  pp.  132,  136. 

143-144.  Letter    Book   of   J.  P.  J.,  pt.  2,   151,  162.      Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  74,  77. 
Memoires  (Andr6),  pp.  49-52. 

145.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  62. 

146.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  2,  pp.  187,  189.     Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  79,  81. 

147.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  83.     Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  pp.  241,  282. 

148.  Memoires  (Andr6),  pp.  49,  57.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  66. 

149.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  85.     Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  225. 

150.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  86. 

151.  Buell,  vol.  1,  p.  139. 

152.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2,  p.  233.     Vol.  3,  No.  13. 

153.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  87. 

154.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  282.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.,  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong., 

p.  82.     American  Catholic  Historical  Researches,  July,  1905. 
^S-^6-  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  89,  90. 

157.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  290. 

158.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  91. 

159.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  1. 

160.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  297. 

161.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  91. 

162.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  156. 

163-164.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  93,  94,  200.     Buell,  vol.  1,  pp.  175-178. 

165.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  12. 

166.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  13. 

167.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  13. 

168.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  312. 

169.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  pp.  17,  18. 

170.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  314. 

171.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  95.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  158. 

172.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  315. 

173.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  19. 

174-175.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  pp.  323,  332.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  98. 

176.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  22. 

177.  Letter  Book  of  J.  P.  J.,  pt.  3,  p.  339. 
178-179.  Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  pp.  23,  24. 

180-181.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  104.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  153. 

182.  Memoires  (Andr6),  p.  71.     Log  Bonhomme  Richard,  p.  26. 

183.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  pp.  22-23. 
184-185.  Emmons,  U.  S.  Navy,  1775-1853,  p.  47- 

186.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  109. 

187.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  106.     Sands,  p.  172. 

188.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  171. 


J o  h  ?i    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  189 


189.  Liverpool  Privateers,  pp.  223,  262. 
190-191.  Log  Bonhomme    Richard,  pp.   46,  47.      Memoires  (Andr6),  pp.   77-102. 

Sherburne,  1851,  p.  114. 
192-193.  Log  U.  S.  S.  Serapis,  pp.  1,3. 

194.  Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  103.     Biographies. 
195-196.  Log  U.  S.  S.  Serapis,  pp.  3,  10.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  120. 
197-198.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  124,  174. 

199.  Log  U.  S.  S.  Serapis,  p.  11. 

200.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  216.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  203.     Sherburne,  p.  128. 

201.  Sherburne,  p.  175. 

202.  Sherburne,  p.  176. 
203-205.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  177-179. 

206.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  218. 

207.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  156.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  225. 

208.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  230. 

209.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  210. 

210.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  235. 

211.  Log  U.  S.  S.  Serapis,  p.  30.     Log  U.  S.  S.  Alliance,  p.  34. 
212-213.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  pp.  241,  242. 

214.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  217. 
215-216.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  247. 

217.  hog  Alliance,  p.  44. 

218.  Log  Alliance,  p.  45.     Mackenzie,  p.  253. 

219-220.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  pp.  255,  257.     Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  184,  335. 
221-224.  Log  Alliance,  pp.  55,  60,  65,  68,  76. 

225.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  185.     Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  260. 
226-228.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  185,  189,  190. 

229.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  173. 

230.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  15.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  144. 

231.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  23. 

232-233.  Mdmoires  (Andr£),  p.  123.     Mackenzie,  vol.   2,  p.  35.     Sherburne,   1851, 

P-  193. 
234-235-  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  151.     Sherburne,  p.  195. 

236.  Log  Alliance,  p.  108.    Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  38,  41.     Memoirs,  pp.  244,  245. 

237.  Log  Alliance,  p.  109. 

238.  hog  Ariel,  p.  in. 

239.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  247. 

240.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  154. 
241-243.  hog  Ariel,  pp.  11 1,  112. 

244.  B.  F.  Stevens   Facsimiles,  No.  727.     Sands,  p.  279.     Memoires   (Andr£), 
p.  198. 
245-246.  Log  Ariel,  p.  113.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  58. 

247.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  157. 

248.  Relic  of  the  Revolution  (Herbert),  p.  242. 

249.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  61-62.     Letter  from  Mr.  R.  Dale,  February  15,  1907. 

Files  Navy  Department  Library,  No.  3739. 
250-251.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  204,  208. 

252.  Relic  of  the  Revolution  (Herbert),  p.  242. 

253.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  209.     Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  199. 
254-255-  hog  Ariel,  pp.  129,  131. 

256.  Log  Ariel,  p.  132.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  65. 

257.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  166. 


190  Chronology 


258.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  332. 

259.  Log  Ariel,  p.  141. 

260.  Log  Ariel,  p.  144. 

261.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  170. 

262.  Sands,  p.  298.     Calendar  J.  P.  J    MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  172. 

263.  Sands,  p.  299. 

264.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  76-77.     Brady,  p.  297. 

265-266.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  213.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  78,  79.     Memoires  (Andre), 

P-  139- 

267.  (H.  Res.  411),  introduced  April  21,  1906,  59th  Congress,  1st  sess. 

268.  Memoirs,  vol.  1,  p.  269.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  82. 

269.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  29. 
270-271.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  32. 

272.  History  of  Philadelphia  (Scharf  &  Westcott),  vol.  1,  p.  415. 
273-274.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  198-201,  215. 

275.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  70. 

276.  Library,  Navy  Department,  035:48. 

277.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  71. 

278.  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  177. 
279-280.  Sands,  pp.  327,  330. 

281.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  109. 

282.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  95. 

283.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  357. 

284.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  124. 

285.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  96. 

286.  Buell,  vol.  2,  p.  77.     Rambles  about  Portsmouth  (Brewster). 

287.  New  Hampshire  Gazette,  Nov.   17,  1781.     New  Hampshire  State  Papers, 

vol.  viii,  p.  915.     Files  Library,  Navy  Dept.,  No.  3150. 

288.  Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  206. 

289.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  322. 

290.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  pp.  289,  290. 

291.  Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  159.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  100. 

292.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  101.     Rambles  about  Portsmouth  (Brewster). 

293.  Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  162. 

294.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VII,  p.  343.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  229. 

295.  History  of  Portsmouth  Navy-Yard  (Preble),  p.  15. 
296-297.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  230,  234. 

298.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  106-109.     History  Portsmouth  Navy-Yard,  p,  17. 

299.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  234. 

300.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VIII,  p.  18. 

301-304.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  235-237.     Memoires  (Andr£),  pp.  169,  173,  174.     Mac- 
kenzie, vol.  2,  pp.  117,  119,  121,  268,  269. 

305.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  123. 

306.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  3,  No.  12. 

307.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  360. 

308.  Sands,  p.  304.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  187. 

309-310.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.  VIII,  p.  335.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  238. 

Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  127. 
311-312.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  128.     Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  177. 
313-315.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  129.     Memoires  (Andr£),  p.  178. 

316.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  56. 

317.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  240. 


John    Paul  /ones    Commemoration  191 


318.  Memoires  (Andr6),  p.  181. 

319.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  247. 
320-321.  Memoires  (Andre),  pp.  183-184. 

322.  Letters  and  Documents  at  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

323.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  250. 

324.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  134. 
325-327.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  252-254,  261. 

328.  Letters  and  Documents  at  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

329.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  2,  p.  1.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  261. 

330.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  267. 

331.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  57,  Letter  from  Asa  Bird  Gardiner,  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany, 

vol.  3.     Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  190. 

332.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  194. 

333.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  257. 

334.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  2,  p.  1. 

335.  History  of  Philadelphia  (Scharf  &  Westcott),  vol.  1,  p.  441. 

336.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.    2,  pt.  1,  p.   48.      Letter  from  Captain  John  S. 

Barnes,  File  No.  1137,  Library,  Navy  Department. 
337-339.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  261,  269. 

340.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  337,  Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  195. 

341.  Sherburne,   1851,  p.  266.     Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell),  vol.   xn,  pp. 

133.  135. 
342-344.  Journals  of  Congress  (Folwell)  vol.  xn,  pp.  138,145.     Sherburne,  185 1,  pp. 
272,  274, 

345.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  163.     Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  4. 

346.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  275.     Calendar  J.  P.  J.  MSS.,  Lib.  Cong.,  p.  196. 

347.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  4. 

348-350.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  6.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  165. 

351-358.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  279,  280,  284,  285.     Sands,  pp.  381-389. 

359.  Sands,  p.  387.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  173. 
360-361.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  180.     Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  10. 

362.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  2,  p.  372. 
363-384.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  pp.  11-65.     Mackenzie,  vol.   2,  pp.   184-206.     Sherburne, 
1 85 1,  pp.  287-296. 

385.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  2,  p.  411. 
386-387.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  pp.  66,  68. 

388-389.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  297,  and  preface  (letter  from  James  Madison). 
390-401.  Memoirs,  vol.   2,   pp.  70-96.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  pp.  204-218.     Sherburne, 

1851,  pp.  300-301. 
402-403.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  301,  302. 

404.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  97. 
405-409.  Memoirs,  pp.  101,  150,  163,  172,  176. 

410.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  237. 
411-417.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  pp.  174,  182,  224,  117,  180,  184,  231. 
418-423.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  pp.  196,  203,  213,  211,  292. 

424.  Manuscript  from  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

425.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  224.     Sherburne,  1851,  p.  311. 

426.  Diary  and  Letters  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  vol.  1,  p.  378. 

427.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  231.     Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  314. 
428-429.  Sherburne,  1851,  pp.  316,  319. 

430.  Manuscript  from  St.  Mary's  Isle. 

431.  Diary  and  Letters  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  vol.  1,  pp.  407,  429. 


192  Chronology 


432.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  265.     Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  237. 

433.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  3,  p.  293. 

434.  Buell,  vol.  2.  p.  292-295. 

435.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  298. 

436.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  300. 

437.  Jefferson's  Complete  Works,  vol.  3,  p.  431.     American  State  Papers,  Foreign 

Relations,  vol.  1,  p.  290. 

438.  Buell,  vol.  2,  pp.  312-313. 

439.  Diary  and  Letters  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  vol.  1,  p.  555;  vol.  2,  p.  45.     Sher- 

burne, 1 85 1 ;  p.  338. 

440.  Sherburne,  1851,  preface,  letter  from  Thomas  Jefferson,  p.  338.     Files  of 

Le  Moniteur.     Buell,  vol.  2,  pp.  322-325. 

441.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  307. 

442.  Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  p.  280.     Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  311.     Diary  and  Letters  of 

Gouverneur  Morris,  vol.  2,  pp.  45,  46. 

443.  "My  Scrap-book  of  the  French  Revolution"  (Griffith),  Latimer,  p.  21. 

444.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  1,  No.  6.    Buell,  vol.  2,  p.  324.     "  My  Scrap-book, 

etc."  (Griffith),  Latimer,  p.  21. 

445.  Memoirs,  vol.  2,  p.  309.     Sands,  p.  542. 

446.  Sands,  p.  598. 

447.  "M^moires  de  Paul  Jones,  par  le  citoyen  Andre\     Paris,  An  VI,  1798." 

448.  Life  of  Paul  Jones.    B.  Duyckinck,  New  York,  1809. 

449.  Niles's  Register,  vol.  2,  p.  230. 

450.  Niles's  Register,  vol.  18,  p.  320;  vol.  27,  p.  150. 

451.  Sherburne,  1825.     Introduction,  p.  viii.     Memoirs,  vol.  1,  preface.     Niles's 

Register,  vol.  26,  p.  369. 

452.  Life  and  Character  of  the  Chevalier  John  Paul  Jones,  City  of  Washington, 

1825. 

453.  Niles's  Register,  vol.  32,  p.  15. 

454.  Memoirs  of  Paul  Jones,  Edinburgh,  1830. 

455.  Life  of  John  Paul  Jones.     R.  C.  Sands,  New  York,  1830. 

456.  Mackenzie,  vol.  1,  p.  5;  vol.  2,  p.  26,  footnotes. 

457.  Navy  Registers  and  files  Bureau  Navigation,  Navy  Department. 

458.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  373.     Statutes  at  Large,  vol.  4,  p.  724. 

459-460.  Sherburne,  185 1,  pp.  364-366.     Files  Navy  Department.     Copies  in  Library. 

461.  Life  of  Paul  Jones,  A.  S.  Mackenzie,  U.  S.  N.,  Boston,  1841. 

462.  House  Report  115,  28th  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  vol.  1.     Mackenzie,  vol.  2,  appen- 

dix, p.  305. 

463.  Sherburne,  185 1,  p.  369. 

464.  Lives  of  Distinguished  American  Naval  Officers,  J.  F.  Cooper,  1846. 
465-466.  Sherburne,  pp.  369,  370. 

467.  9  Stat.  L.,  p.  214. 
430.  Sherburne,  1851,  p.  368. 
469-477.  Files  Navy  Department  (Correspondence  with  Col.  J.  H.  Sherburne  and 
Capt.  Joshua  Sands,  U.  S.  N.     Copies  in  Library).     See  also  Sherburne, 
1851,  p.  369. 

478.  Files  Navy  Department. 

479.  National  Intelligencer,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  7,  1852. 

480.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  1,  No.  6.     Vol.  2,  pt.  1,  pp.  59,  61. 
481-483.  Senate  Executive  Document  No.  11,  37th  Cong.,  2d  sess. 

484.  U.  S.  Navy  Registers,  1862-1867. 
485-496.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  I,  pp.  59-128. 


John    Paul  Jo  71  es    Commemoration  193 


497.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  2,  p.  198. 

498.  Century  Magazine,  October,  1905. 

499.  Foreign  Relations,  1905. 

500.  Senate,  Public  Act  685;  H.  R.  Bill  179,  59th  Congress,  1st  sess. 
501-502.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vols.  1,  2,  3. 

503.  34  Stat.  L.,p.  829. 

504.  34  Stat.  L.,  p.  224.     June  8,  1906. 

505.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  3. 

506.  Concurrent  Resolution,  House  of  Representatives,  No.  30,  59th  Congress, 

1st  sess. 

507.  H.  R.  Bill  25516,  59th  Congress,  2d  sess. 

508.  J.  P.  J.  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1,  p.  48.* 
7257—07 13 


APPENDIX 


LETTER  FROM  UNITED  STATES  CONSUL-GENERAL 
GOWDY  TO  REPRESENTATIVE  LANDIS 

Rushviu,3,  Indiana,  May  26,  1907. 

My  dear  Mr.  Landis:  It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  enclose  to  you  a  copy  of 
my  letter  to  you  of  Jan.  2nd,  1899,  in  answer  to  yours  of  November  25,  1898. 

I  had  two  copies  made  at  the  time  I  wrote  you  thinking  that  at  some  time  in  the 
future  I  might  want  the  copy  for  a  special  purpose. 

In  fact,  Charley,  when  I  dictated  the  letter  it  occurred  to  me  that  it  was  rather  a 
good  letter,  please  excuse  me  for  saying  so  much  to  you. 

From  the  date  of  the  receipt  of  your  letter  I  was  actively  engaged,  through  several 
different  channels  trying  to  locate  the  body,  and  last  resting  place  of  the  founder  of 
the  American  Navy,  John  Paul  Jones.  One  of  my  representatives  located  the  grave, 
and  so  reported  to  me,  but  at  the  same  time  said  an  agent  of  General  Horace  Porter 
obtained  the  same  facts  and  information  the  previous  day.  This  closed  my  further 
investigation.  General  Porter  and  myself  always  worked  in  perfect  harmony  in 
everything.  To  General  Porter  is  due  the  credit  of  finding  the  body  of  the  greatest 
Naval  Hero  of  his  day,  John  Paul  Jones. 

My  desire  to  do  a  kindness  for  you  and  at  the  same  time  perform  a  patriotic  duty 
for  my  Government,  caused  me  to  give  time  and  expense  in  an  effort  to  recover  the 
neglected  remains  of  one  of  America's  greatest  heroes. 

Assuring  you  of  my  great  pleasure  in  complying  with  your  request, 
I  am  faithfully  yours, 

John  K.  Gowdy. 

Hon.  Chas.  B.  IvANDis,  Delphi,  Indiana. 

[Enclosure.] 

Paris,  January  2,  i8gg. 

Dear  Sir:  There  are  in  the  catacombs  bones  representing  six  million  people. 
After  all  the  research  I  have  made  I  very  much  fear  that  the  remains  of  John  Paul 
Jones  lie  in  the  Catacombs,  but  have  learned  nothing  positive  to  that  effect. 

I  am  still  trying  to  get  some  information,  if  possible,  and  if  I  succeed  will  write 
you  at  once. 

I  learn  from  his  biography  that  "his  remains  were  placed  in  a  leaden  coffin,  for 
the  convenience  of  their  removal  in  case  the  United  States  should  ever  claim  them 
for  burial,"  but  unfortunately  our  Government  never  did  so. 

It  does  seem  strange  that  we  have  not  identified  ourselves  in  gratitude  to  him  who 
fought  our  battles  at  sea  in  our  struggle  for  independence,  and  who  was  the  first  to 
secure  our  recognition  as  a  Republic. 

"  His  achievement  of  glorious  deeds  commends  itself  to  the  gratitude  of  the 
country. 

Every  thoughtful  American  citizen  can  not  but  feel  the  deepest  regret  that  we 
have  shown  no  interest  in  his  resting  place.  The  graves  of  other  heroes  of  the  Rev- 
olution have  been  marked,  and  honor  paid.     Washington's  tomb  is  as  familiar  as 

195 


196  Appe?idix 


his  deeds;  and  not  a  week  passes  but  American  citizens  inscribe  their  names  on  the 
visitor's  book  at  the  little  cemetery  of  Picpus  and  pay  their  respects  at  the  grave  of 
General  La  Fayette. 

John  Paul  Jones'  love  of  liberty  and  devotion  to  the  United  States  Government 
and  its  principles,  were  the  strongest  passions  of  his  life.  Besides  fighting  our 
battles  he  identified  himself  in  many  ways  with  our  Government,  that  in  the  past 
century  should  have  called  forth  as  for  other  heroes  of  the  Revolution  the  praise 
and  admiration  of  a  grateful  people. 

1 .  As  Lieutenant  of  the  Alfred  he  hoisted  the  first  American  flag  that  was  ever 
displayed. 

2.  So  closely  is  he  connected  with  the  flag  so  dear  to  us  that  in  the  same  resolution 
to  Congress  that  made  "the  flag  of  the  thirteen  stripes,  alternate  red  and  white,  that 
the  Union  be  thirteen  states,  white  in  a  blue  field,  representing  a  new  constellation." 
John  Paul  Jones  was  also  appointed  Commander  of  the  Ranger,  the  best  ship  in  the 
service,  and  over  which  he  was  no  doubt  the  first  to  hoist  the  new  flag. 

3.  He  received  the  first  salute  ever  given  to  American  Independence,  that  being 
given  by  the  French  fleet  at  Quiberon  Bay  three  years  before  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis. 

4.  He  paid  off  the  crews  of  the  Alfred  and  the  Providence  from  his  own  resources 
and  left  the  United  States  on  the  Ranger  1,000  ($5,250.00)  pounds  in  advance  to  the 
U.  S.  Government. 

5.  He  fought  with  a  true  love  of  liberty,  and  during  the  revolution  devoted  himself 
wholly  to  the  interest  and  honor  of  America.  He  afterwards  fought  under  other 
flags,  but  always  remained  true  to  the  U.  S.  Government,  and  one  of  the  last  efforts 
of  his  life  was  to  secure  the  liberation  of  American  seamen  in  Algiers. 

6.  He  won  several  titles  and  delighted  in  being  recognized  by  them.  He  said 
"Rank  opens  the  door  to  glory,"  but  he  never  renounced  the  glorious  title  of  citizen 
of  the  United  States.  In  making  his  last  will  and  testament  he  chose  not  to  call 
himself  Lieutenant,  Captain,  Admiral,  or  Chevalier,  but  "I,  John  Paul  Jones,  an 
American  citizen."  He  went  in  dangerous  ways  for  us,  displaying  loyalty  and 
courage  in  great  deeds  that  astonished  the  age.  He  certainly  deserves  a  fitting 
memorial  as  the  great  hero  that  he  was,  and  the  founder  of  our  American  navy, 
which  by  the  master  ability  of  Perry,  Farragut,  Dewey,  Sampson,  and  Schley  has 
won  the  admiration  of  the  world. 


I  am  faithfully  yours, 

Hon.  Chas.  B.  Landis,  M.  C, 

Delphi,  Indiana. 


John  K.  Gowdy. 


[Inclosure  C  of  Report  of  Rear-Admiral  Sigsbee.] 

FRENCH  OFFICERS  AND  OFFICIALS  WHO  TOOK   PART  IN 
THE  CEREMONIES  AT  PARIS 

The  American  train  arrived  at  the  Gare  des  Invalides  at  11.50  a.  m. 

At  the  station:  Capt.  Andre,  French  navy,  representing  the  minister  of  marine; 
Lieut,  de  Grancey,  French  navy;  Capt.  Couranjou,  of  the  staff  of  the  military  gov- 
ernor of  Paris  (Gen.  Dessirier);  Commandant  Vignal,  of  the  general  staff  of  the 
army;  Capt.  Beque,  of  the  Legion  of  the  Garde  Republicaine,  and  Lieut.  Ebenrecht, 
of  the  Seventy-sixth  Regiment  of  Infantry  (the  last  two  officers  were  placed  at  the 
disposal  of  the  officer  commanding  the  American  guard);  Capt.  Lepelletier,  and 
Monsieur  Tounay,  representing  the  prefect  of  police  of  Paris. 


Joh?i    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  197 


Outside  the  station  there  was  'a  detachment  from  the  One  hundred  and  third 
Regiment  of  Infantry,  of  the  Paris  garrison.  Staff  of  the  detachment:  Capt.  Lejay, 
commanding;  2  lieutenants,  1  adjutant,  1  sergeant-major,  4  sergeants,  8  corporals. 

There  was  also  a  military  band,  also  the  One  hundred  and  third  Regiment  of 
Infantry. 

After  mutual  salutes  and  the  playing  of  the  "Star-Spangled  Banner"  and  the 
"Marseillaise,"  the  American  escort  and  the  French  detachment  proceeded  along 
the  Rue  de  l'Universite\  avenue  Centrale  de  1' Esplanade  des  Invalides,  avenue  de  la 
Motte-Piquet,  avenue  Duquesne,  and  avenue  des  Invalides,  to  the  Ecole  Militaire. 
On  the  large  central  esplanade  of  the  Ecole,  called  the  "Cour  de  Fontenoy,"  three 
tents  had  been  erected — one  as  dining  room  for  the  noncommissioned  and  petty 
officers  of  the  American  escort,  another  as  dining  room  for  the  American  sailors  and 
marines,  and  the  third  as  baggage  and  washing  room  for  the  men. 

Upon  arrival  at  the  Ifcole  Militaire,  and  after  the  men  had  been  dismissed, 
Col.  Buisson  d'Armandy,  commanding  the  One  hundred  and  third  Regiment  of 
Infantry,  and  charged  with  the  reception  of  the  American  escort,  invited  the 
American  and  French  officers  to  come  into  one  of  the  tents  and  drink  a  glass  of 
champagne,  Col.  d'Armandy  making  a  speech  in  English,  in  which  he  referred  to 
the  close  friendship  existing  between  France  and  America.  Lieut.  Commander 
George,  in  reply,  proposed  the  health  of  the  President  of  the  Republic.  Capt. 
Tabary,  of  the  One  hundred  and  third  Infantry,  was  in  charge  of  the  arrangements 
at  the  Ecole  Militaire.  At  1  p.  m.  the  American  men  sat  down  to  the  following 
lunch:  Mousse  de  Jambon,  olives,  radis,  beurre,  saute"  de  veau,  American  roast  beef, 
choux  fleurs  a  l'huile,  petits  fours,  half  a  liter  of  wine  per  man,  coffee,  rum. 

In  the  meantime  the  American  officers,  with  the  exception  of  three,  went  to  a 
lunch  offered  them  at  the  Cercle  Militaire  of  Paris.  The  three  American  officers 
remaining  at  the  Ecole  Militaire  lunched  with  Capt.  Tabary  and  other  French 
officers  of  the  One  hundred  and  third  Infantry.  Everything  was  done  with  great 
liberality  and  perfect  courtesy. 

At  1.30  a  detachment  of  American  sailors  (body  bearers)  went  to  the  American 
Church,  followed  at  2.30  by  the  rest  of  the  men. 

The  ceremony  at  the  church  was  scheduled  for  3.30.  Practically  the  entire  diplo- 
matic corps  of  Paris  was  present.  The  name  of  the  church  is  American  Church  of 
the  Holy  Trinity,  avenue  de  l'Alma,  Paris.  The  service  was  conducted  by  the  Rev. 
John  B.  Morgan,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  M.  Van  Winkle,  Monsieur  Mesny,  and  Doctor 
Tully.  The  first  hymn  sung  was  No.  418.  Then  followed  the  Lord's  Prayer,  then 
prayer  for  the  President  of  the  United  States,  two  other  collects.  Then  hymn  107, 
specially  chosen,  as  all  the  rest,  for  some  reference  to  "those  who  go  down  to  the 
sea  in  ships,"  etc.  Then  hymn  144.  Then  followed  the  fiftieth  chapter  of  Genesis, 
and  Exodus,  thirteenth  chapter,  nineteenth  verse.  Then  two  special  prayers.  Then 
the  hymn,  "My  Country,  'Tis  of  Thee;"  Benediction.  Hymn,  "Onward,  Christian 
Soldiers." 

At  about  5  p.  m.  the  procession  formed  and  proceeded  along  the  avenue  de  l'Alma, 
avenue  des  Champs  Elysees,  avenue  Alexandre  III,  Pont  Alexandre  III,  to  the 
Esplanade  des  Invalides,  where  a  tent  or  tribune  had  been  constructed  to  receive 
the  body  of  Paul  Jones  and  the  members  of  the  cortege.  The  body  was  deposited 
there  and  the  march  past  then  took  place.  The  French  troops  taking  part  therein 
were  the  following: 

General  commanding  the  troops,  General  of  Division  Frey,  commanding  the  First 
Division  of  Colonial  Infantry. 

General  commanding  the  infantry,  Gen.  de  Chalendar,  commanding  the  Four- 
teenth Brigade  of  Infantry. 

Infantry. — One  hundred  and  second  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Col.  Mollard,  com- 
manding. 


198  Appendix 


One  hundred  and  fourth  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Col.  Poline,  commanding. 
Each  of  these  regiments  consisted  of  about  1,000  men. 

Cavalry. — First  Regiment  of  Cuirassiers,  Col.  Foucault,  commanding,  about 
350  men. 

Artillery. — One  group  of  horse  batteries  of  the  First  Division  of  Cavalry,  Com- 
mandant Bernard,  commanding,  consisting  of  2  horse  batteries  of  6  pieces  each. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremonies  the  American  sailors  and  marines  returned  to 
the  Ecole  Militaire,  where  they  dined,  and  left  about  9.30  p.  m.  for  the  railway 
station  of  the  Invalides,  accompanied  by  the  same  detachment  that  had  received 
them  in  the  morning. 

The  police  arrangements  were  in  charge  of  Monsieur  Lepine,  prefect  of  police, 
Monsieur  Seives,  prefect  of  the  Seine,  and  Monsieur  Tounay,  subprefect. 

There  was  no  cheering,  but  every  one  in  the  crowd  took  his  hat  off  at  the  passage 
of  the  French  and  American  flags  and  of  the  body  of  Paul  Jones. 


[Inclosure  D.] 

ADDRESS  OF  JUNIOR  SPECIAL  AMBASSADOR  LOOMIS 

IN  PARIS 

The  nature  of  this  occasion,  coupled  with  the  presence  of  the  distinguished  Amer- 
ican who  just  finished  speaking,  reminds  me  that  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson 
River,  high  above  the  city  of  New  York,  commanding  a  prospect  of  uncommon 
loveliness,  stands  a  stately  tomb  erected  in  memory  of  Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  a 
President  of  the  United  States  and  perhaps  its  foremost  soldier.  That  memorial 
structure  was  erected  by  the  American  people,  almost  solely  through  the  brilliant 
initiative  and  tireless  efforts  of  Gen.  Horace  Porter,  who  again  has  won  the  gratitude 
of  his  countrymen  on  account  of  the  complete  ultimate  success  which  has  marked 
his  patient,  persistent,  self-sacrificing  search  for  the  grave  and  body  of  John  Paul 
Jones;  and  France,  ever  generous,  is  about  to  crown  the  kindness  shown  to  the 
United  States  during  its  painful  struggle  for  independence  by  returning,  with 
conspicuous  honors,  to  that  country  the  remains  of  the  founder  of  the  American 
Navy,  who  by  his  brilliant  victories  proclaimed  to  the  world  the  rise  of  a  new  sea 
power,  and  flung  to  the  breezes  a  new  flag  representing  a  new  nation. 

It  is  doubly  generous  on  the  part  of  France  to  surrender  the  dust  of  this  hero  to 
us,  for  much  of  his  life  was  interwoven  with  the  French  history  of  his  day,  and  had 
he  been  permitted  to  enjoy  a  few  years  more  of  health  it  is  known  that  he  would 
have  commanded  the  fleets  of  France. 

It  was  from  these  hospitable  shores  that  he  set  sail  on  the  memorable  cruise  which 
resulted  in  his  victory  over  the  Serapis.  It  was  here  that  he  experienced  in  the 
highest  degree  the  joys  of  a  conqueror,  and  it  was  here  that  he  met  some  of  his 
most  grievous  disappointments  by  reason  of  the  penury  and  divided  councils  of 
America's  representatives,  and  by  reason,  too,  of  professional  jealousies.  Here, 
laurel  crowned,  he  returned  from  his  cruise,  an  acknowledged  hero,  and  received 
with  becoming  modesty  the  plaudits  of  a  most  friendly  people.  Here  he  fulfilled 
his  gallant  promise  to  lay  a  captured  frigate  at  the  feet  of  his  friend  and  patroness, 
the  Duchess  de  Chartres,  one  of  the  best  and  loveliest  French  women  of  her  century. 
Here,  too,  from  the  hands  of  King  Louis  XVI,  he  received  knighthood  and  a  sword 
of  honor.  Here  were  heaped  upon  him  social  attentions,  admiration,  and  many 
discriminating  tributes  of  friendship  and  praise. 

In  the  general  environment  of  Paris  and  Versailles  he  found  an  atmosphere  that 
caused  his  heart  to  glow,  his  mind  to  broaden,  his  imagination  to  kindle  with 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  199 


generous  enthusiasm  and  lofty  dreams  for  the  welfare  of  mankind.  It  was  in  France 
that  Jones,  one  of  nature's  truest  gentlemen,  the  lowly-born  Scotch  gardener's 
son,  came  to  his  own  and  found  those  things  which  made  life  most  worth  the 
living,  namely,  the  intelligent,  sympathetic  companionship  of  great  men  and  lovely 
women,  coupled  with  opportunities  for  high  endeavor  and  professional  advancement 
and  the  chance  to  draw  his  sword  in  defense  of  cherished  principles. 

To  France  John  Paul  Jones  was  chiefly  indebted  for  those  fateful  and  momentous 
opportunities  which,  as  a  sea  fighter,  and,  later,  as  a  diplomatist,  gave  him  a  place 
among  those  who  have  achieved  enduring  renown.  His  genius  contributed  largely  to 
the  organization  and  construction  of  the  American  Navy,  and  in  his  letter  to  the 
committee  of  the  American  Congress  is  set  forth  in  admirable  form  the  mental, 
moral,  and  professional  requirements  essential  to  a  naval  officer.  His  words  of 
wisdom  are  as  true,  as  apt,  and  as  valuable  to-day  as  they  were  the  day  they  were 
written.  It  is  the  thorough  understanding  and  faithful  adherence  to  the  principles 
so  clearly  and  adequately  expounded  by  John  Paul  Jones  that  gave  to  our  naval 
officers  those  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  which  enable  them  to  command  the 
confidence  of  their  countrymen  and  the  respect  of  their  professional  colleagues 
throughout  the  world. 

Not  only  was  John  Paul  Jones  a  philosopher,  a  commander,  a  leader  of  men,  a 
diplomatist,  but  in  an  age  when  letter  writing  was  a  delightful  and  mannered  art 
his  epistles  were  noteworthy  for  their  lucidity  and  charm  of  style. 

This  veritable  sea  king,  around  whose  bier  the  representatives  of  two  Republics 
meet  to  pledge  anew  the  time-hallowed  and  indestructible  friendship  and  the 
historic  good  will  and  amity  which  cement  them,  loved,  in  his  broad,  magnanimous 
way,  all  that  was  admirable  and  lovable  in  the  two  peoples,  and  was  willing  to  draw 
his  sword  for  France  and  America.  To  his  own  country  his  services  were  but  little 
less  useful  on  land  than  on  sea.  His  diplomatic  achievements  and  correspondence 
indicate  statecraft  of  a  high  order ;  and  it  is  said  by  one  of  the  greatest  living 
authorities  on  naval  affairs  that,  "Viewed  in  the  light  of  results,  Jones's  diplomatic 
operations  in  the  Texel  lose  no  luster  by  comparison  with  his  victories  at  sea. ' ' 

So  it  may  be  justly  said  that  he  played  his  part  as  effectively  on  sea,  considering 
his  limited  opportunities,  and  accomplished  as  great  results  for  his  country,  within 
the  scope  of  those  opportunities,  as  did  our  foremost  military  commanders  on  land. 
He  fought  with  daring  determination  and  the  cool  certainty  of  consummate  skill, 
not  for  the  sake  of  carnage,  not  for  the  accumulation  of  prize  money,  but  because 
he  was  convinced  that  he  was  right,  and,  being  so  convinced,  he  meant  to  win  vic- 
tories at  any  cost  for  the  principles  he  loved,  and  because  he  believed  that  fierce, 
successful  fighting  was,  in  the  end,  the  most  merciful  and  the  shortest  pathway  to 
peace.  He  loved,  of  course,  success  and  glory,  but  he  was  not  a  mere  soldier  of 
fortune,  a  fiery  captain  athirst  for  blood,  treasure,  and  conquest,  yearning  to  tread 
to  eminence  over  men's  graves.  He  could  be  great,  either  in  peace  or  war.  He 
was  profound,  accomplished,  many  sided.  He  is  entitled  to  distinction  as  a  lover  of 
the  human  race,  as  a  genial,  optimistic  philosopher,  and  to  gratitude  as  a  brilliant 
conversationalist,  whose  wit,  grace,  and  informing  speech  won,  at  a  highly  oppor- 
tune moment,  a  vast  deal  of  substantial  good  will  for  the  American  cause  in  Europe. 

This  symmetrically  developed  man  was  wholly  self-made.  His  careful  biog- 
rapher says:  "Everything  that  he  was,  or  that  he  did,  or  that  he  knew  was  the 
fruit  of  self-incentive  and  self-help  to  a  degree  that  was,  and  still  is,  unexampled 
in  the  histories  of  great  men.  No  successful  man  who  ever  lived  owed  so  much  to 
himself  alone,  so  little  to  the  adventitious  in  circumstance." 

One  likes  to  dwell  upon  his  achievements  in  the  ways  of  peace,  and  upon  his 
devotion  to  what  he  believed  to  be  good  and  sound  political  principles.  Said  he: 
• '  I  have  drawn  my  sword  only  from  motives  of  humanity  and  in  support  of  the 


200  Appendix 


\ 


dignity  of  human  rights."  What  warrior  ever  placed  his  martial  activities  upon 
a  higher  and  nobler  plane  than  that?  He  fought  for  good  and  sound  political  and 
moral  doctrine.  Love  of  liberty  led  him  into  the  ranks  of  the  American  Revolution- 
ists when  the  safer  and  easier  course  for  him  would  have  been  to  espouse  the  cause 
of  the  King. 

Two  years'  residence  in  the  American  colonies  as  a  landed  proprietor;  careful 
study  of  momentous  governmental  principles  at  issue;  the  friendship  of  such  men 
as  Washington,  Jefferson,  Hamilton,  Hewes,  and  other  leaders  of  the  period,  was 
enough,  and  more,  to  convince  a  man  of  his  swift  natural  perception,  originality  of 
ideas,  profound  and  tireless  observation,  and  logical,  ordered  thought,  that  a  crisis 
in  human  affairs  had  come;  so  he  turned  from  the  allurements  of  the  throne  and 
resolutely  trod  the  way  he  knew  might  lead  him  to  the  scaffold. 

Fortune  was  not  unkind  to  him  always.  He  hoisted  the  first  American  flag  that 
ever  flew  from  an  American  war  vessel  on  his  ship  the  Ranger.  The  flag  was  author- 
ized and  created  by  Congress  in  the  same  resolution,  on  the  14th  of  June,  1777, 
which  commissioned  Jones  a  captain,  and  he  said  of  the  banner,  ''That  flag  and  I 
are  twins,  born  at  the  same  hour  in  the  womb  of  destiny.  We  can  not  be  parted  in 
life  or  death.  So  long  as  we  shall  float,  we  shall  float  together;  if  we  sink,  we  shall 
go  down  as  one." 

Under  this  flag  he  came  to  France  the  same  3'ear,  bearing  official  information  of 
Burgoyne's  surrender;  information  which  had  much  to  do  in  causing  Louis  XVI  to 
recognize  the  independence  of  the  United  States. 

It  was  at  this  period,  February  14,  1778,  that  the  French  naval  commander  at 
Brest  fired  the  first  salute  ever  given  by  a  foreign  nation  to  the  American  flag — an 
historic  and  important  event  which  was  arranged  through  the  diplomacy  of  John 
Paul  Jones. 

With  this  great  sailor,  love  of  freedom  was  innate  and  natural  as  love  for  the  sea. 
Beginning  his  ocean  career  at  12,  he  became  familiar  with  the  sensation  of  looking 
out  upon  illimitable  vistas  of  water.  He  studied  the  pathway  of  the  winds,  the 
sweep  of  ocean  currents  by  day,  and  the  positions  and  the  movements  of  the  stars 
at  night,  facing  the  infinite,  and  with  imminent  peril  for  his  unfailing  companion. 
His  seafaring  life  was  an  experience  to  shrivel  a  small,  to  uplift  a  noble  and  great 
nature.  For  we  may  suppose,  during  these  years,  something  of  the  strength  and 
purity  of  the  sea  entered  his  soul  and  abided  evermore.  His  love  for  his  fellow-men 
caused  him,  at  that  early  date,  to  detest  the  institution  of  human  slavery,  and  later, 
to  refuse  to  resume  his  plantation  life  after  the  war,  for  the  reason  that,  under  the 
then  existing  economic  social  conditions,  agricultural  success  could  only  be  achieved 
through  the  employment  of  slave  labor. 

John  Paul  Jones  died  in  France  at  the  period  when  France  had  great  need  of  his 
services;  and  Napoleon  deplored  the  untimely  death  that  robbed  him  of  a  great 
admiral.  The  conjunction  of  these  two  warriors  of  genius  might  have  changed  the 
history  of  the  world. 

America  unfortunately  exemplified  the  adage  that  republics  are  ungrateful,  for  in 
the  stress  and  struggle  of  building  a  new  country,  she  forgot  for  a  time  her  departed 
hero.  France,  be  it  said  to  her  credit,  remembered  Paul  Jones  in  appropriate,  hand- 
some, and  touching  ways,  showing  as  ever  her  keen  and  splendid  appreciation  of 
genius  and  valor — an  appreciation  which  is  magnanimous  and  magnificent  in  its 
scope,  knowing  neither  race  nor  nationality. 

The  National  Assembly  of  France  when  notified  of  John  Paul  Jones's  death,  on 
the  19th  of  July,  1792,  paid  immediate  and  appropriate  respect  to  his  memory,  by 
suspending  the  order  of  the  day,  adopting  a  suitable  resolution,  and  appointing  a 
committee  of  twelve  members  to  attend  his  funeral.     * 

In  the  latest  biography  of  Admiral  Jones  it  is  stated  that  before  the  resolution 
was  adopted  in  silence  by  a  rising  vote,  a  member  of  the  Assembly  said:  "I  trust 


John    Paul  Jo  ne  s    Commemoration  201 


the  feeling  of  personal  bereavement  universal  in  this  body  may  be  granted  brief 
expression.  What  Paul  Jones  has  done  for  the  rights  of  men  need  not  be  told  to 
Frenchmen.  What  more  he  stood  pledged  almost  with  his  last  breath  to  do  if  spared 
is  known  to  many  Frenchmen." 

Bertrand  Barere,  then  at  the  height  of  his  fame  as  a  powerful  and  popular  orator, 
delivered  from  the  portico  of  the  palace  of  justice  an  impassioned  oration  on  the 
achievements  of  his  dead  friend,  John  Paul  Jones.  The  first  memoir  of  Jones  was 
published  by  Benoit- Andre"  in  1798. 

Think  for  a  moment  what  opportunity  for  the  biographer  his  brief  but  crowded 
career  presents!  Sailor  boy  at  12,  officer  at  17,  captain  at  20,  in  the  merchant  service 
of  the  North  Atlantic;  East  Indiamanand  Virginia  planter— all  before  he  had  passed 
the  age  of  27;  naval  lieutenant  at  28,  captain  at  29,  commodore  at  32,  the  ocean  hero 
of  the  Old  World  and  the  New  at  33;  a  knight  of  France;  the  most  famous  sea  victor 
of  his  time;  patronized  by  kings,  petted  by  duchesses  of  the  royal  blood,  thanked 
by  Congress,  and  the  trusted  friend  and  sometimes  associate  of  Washington,  Frank- 
lin, Jefferson,  La  Fayette,  Hamilton,  and  Morris;  at  36  selected  as  special  envoy  to 
the  most  aristocratic  of  courts,  charged  with  the  most  delicate  and  intricate  of  mis- 
sions— the  adjudication  and  collection  of  international  claims — without  any  guide 
or  precedent;  at  40,  voted  a  gold  medal  by  Congress;  at  41,  a  vice-admiral  in  the 
imperial  navy  of  Russia,  and  winning  victories  over  the  Turks;  at  43  a  prominent 
figure  in  the  thrilling  overture  of  that  tremendous  drama,  the  French  Revolution, 
and  dead  at  45 ;  disinterred  one  hundred  and  thirteen  years  later  from  a  dismal  and 
forgotten  grave,  and  brought  here  this  afternoon,  receiving  merited  honors  too  long 
delayed. 

I  have  the  honor,  on  behalf  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  accept  the 
custody  of  the  casket  which  incloses  the  remains  of  Admiral  Jones,  and  to  commit 
them  to  the  worthy  hands  of  Admiral  Sigsbee.  They  will  be  borne  over  the  seas  he 
loved  back  to  the  land  he  served  so  well,  where  I  am  confident  the  justice  and  gen- 
erosity of  a  great  people  will  move  them  to  render  ample  homage  to  the  memory  of 
a  man  to  whom  all  the  world  ungrudgingly  awards  the  august  meed  of  immortal 
fame. 


[Inclosure  K-] 

ADDRESS  OF  REAR-ADMIRAL  SIGSBEE,  U.  S.  NAVY, 

IN  PARIS 

Mr.  Ambassador:  I  am  here  in  command  of  a  squadron  of  United  States  war 
vessels,  and  am  charged  with  the  transportation  of  the  remains  of  Admiral  John  Paul 
Jones  to  the  United  States. 

Although  it  was  largely  by  the  aid  of  France  that  our  hero  fought  so  conspicuously, 
he  fought  in  the  service  and  for  the  cause  of  the  United  States.  It  is  therefore  fitting 
that  his  remains  should  find  their  last  resting  place  within  our  own  boundaries. 
Since  he  was  the  greatest  of  our  earliest  naval  commanders,  it  is  appropriate  that  his 
remains  should  be  transferred  to  the  guardianship  of  the  naval  service. 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  in  the  exercise  of  his  ever  friendly  and  correct 
judgment  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  naval  service  of  his  country,  has  decided  that 
the  remains  shall  be  deposited  in  perpetuity  within  the  walls  of  the  chapel  of  the 
Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis.  It  can  not  be  doubted  that  their  presence  in  that 
institution  will  serve  as  an  inspiration  and  as  an  example  to  all  future  generations  of 
our  Navy.     Our  President  had  this  object  in  mind  when  he  chose  the  Naval  Academy. 

It  will  be  remembered  by  the  Navy  of  the  United  States  that  these  remains  of  a 
naval  officer  were  recovered  through  the  initiative  and  the  efforts  of  Gen.  Horace 


202  Appendix 


Porter,  a  graduate  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point.  The  Army 
and  Navy  of  the  United  States  therefore  come  together  in  patriotic  and  fraternal 
sentiment  on  this  occasion.  General  Porter  may  be  well  assured  that  my  own  appre- 
ciation of  his  labors  is  shared  by  the  whole  naval  service,  which  he  has  so  greatly 
honored.     We  shall  ever  regard  him  affectionately. 

The  occasion  which  calls  us  here  has  also  served  to  bring  together,  in  remembrance 
of  our  joint  history,  the  army  and  navy  of  France  and  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the 
United  States.  If  ever  the  gratitude  of  the  United  States  to  France  may  seem  to  be 
latent,  we  Americans  have  only  to  open  a  history  of  our  war  for  independence  in 
order  to  quicken  our  sentiments  and  to  compel  our  blessings. 

I  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity,  Mr.  Ambassador,  to  request  you  to  express, 
through  appropriate  channels  and  in  behalf  of  myself  and  the  whole  personnel  of 
my  command,  our  thanks  for  the  many  honors  paid  us  by  the  President  of  France 
and  by  the  personnel — civil,  military,  and  naval — of  his  Government  and  of  the  city 
of  Paris.  Their  action  signalizes  the  interest  of  the  French  people  in  the  object  of 
our  present  mission  to  France.  Our  time  has  been  so  filled  by  honors  and  events 
that  I  fail  to  conceive  any  other  way  of  acknowledging  our  indebtedness  within  the 
time  remaining  at  our  disposal. 

I  beg  also,  Mr.  Ambassador,  to  present  to  the  American  ambassador  at  Paris,  to 
General  Porter,  and  to  yourself  the  thanks  of  my  officers  and  myself  for  the  kind 
consideration,  both  official  and  personal,  that  you  have  severally  shown  us  in  con- 
nection with  the  duty  to  which  we  have  been  appointed. 

I  am  here,  as  you  well  know,  Mr.  Ambassador,  as  the  naval  representative  of  the 
Navy  Department  at  Washington.  I  am  directed  in  my  orders  from  the  Navy 
Department  to  receive  from  you  these  remains.  You  have  decided  to  transfer  them 
to  my  charge  in  Paris.  Therefore  I  hereby  accept  from  you  the  honor  and  the 
further  responsibility,  with  the  assurance  that  my  command  will  bear  the  remains 
of  John  Paul  Jones  most  reverently  to  their  final  resting  place  within  the  Naval 
Academy  at  Annapolis. 


[Inclosure  F.] 

ADDRESS  OF  VICE-ADMIRAL  BESSON,  AT   CHERBOURG 

[Translation  by  Prof.  H.  Marion.] 

Admiral  and  Gentlemen:  You  are  longing  to  take  on  board  the  Brooklyn, 
where  they  will  at  last  rest  on  the  territory  and  under  the  flag  of  the  United  States, 
these  venerated  remains  of  Admiral  Paul  Jones.  I  understand  your  patriotic  impa- 
tience ;  therefore  I  shall  not  detain  you  to  listen  to  a  new  eulogy  on  the  well-known 
and  so  marvelously  successful  career  of  your  illustrious  compatriot. 

But  at  the  moment  when  his  ashes  are  about  to  leave  the  hospitable  land  which 
for  one  hundred  and  thirteen  years  has  carefully  guarded  them  in  her  bosom,  it  is 
my  duty  to  give  to  them,  in  the  name  of  the  French  navy,  a  last  salute. 

Your  hearts,  as  well  as  ours,  are  to-day  closely  brought  together  in  common  sym- 
pathy. In  the  month  of  February,  1778,  in  the  Bay  of  Quiberon,  the  squadron  com- 
mander in  chief,  La  Motte-Piquet,  was  the  first  to  salute  the  starry  flag  of  the  young 
Republic  of  the  United  States.     This  flag  was  that  of  Commodore  Jones. 

And  truly,  upon  this  solemn  occasion,  there  was  none  more  worthy  than  this 
gallant  sailor  to  represent  his  country  and  to  receive  for  her  this  public  declaration 
of  her  admission  to  the  ranks  of  nations. 

After  some  brilliant  services  rendered  the  cause  of  independence  in  American 
waters,  he  had  been  directed  to  make  a  diversion  in  European  waters,  and  was 
returning  at  that  time  from  a  memorable  cruise  in  the  Irish  Sea.     He  was  then,  as 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  203 


commander  of  a  squadron  of  French  ships,  sailing  under  American  colors  on  the 
eve  of  that  famous  battle  off  Flamborough,  the  most  extraordinary  in  his  life,  so 
rich  already  in  remarkable  deeds. 

It  is  my  privilege  to  recall  that  Paul  Jones  led  French  vessels  to  victory ;  that  his 
brilliant  achievements  caused  him  to  be  received  among  us  with  an  enthusiastic 
welcome ;  that  at  the  outbreak  of  our  Revolution  he  again  offered  to  serve  in  our 
navy,  and  that  when,  a  short  time  afterwards,  he  died,  at  the  age  of  45,  our  legisla- 
tive assembly  attended  his  funeral. 

It  is  therefore  to  one  of  our  own  brothers  in  arms  of  the  end  of  the  eighteenth 
century  that  we  render  the  last  honors. 

This  hero,  whose  exploits  have  given  much  brilliant  luster  to  the  dawn  of  the 
American  Navy,  is  one  of  those  who  have  most  contributed  in  cementing  these  ties 
of  friendship  between  our  two  nations,  yet  unbroken  after  more  than  a  century. 

In  the  name  of  the  French  navy,  I  salute  with  respect  the  memory  of  Admiral 
Paul  Jones,  and  I  hope  that  the  ashes  of  this  illustrious  sailor  may  speedily  accom- 
plish their  triumphal  return  to  his  grateful  country,  which  now  reclaims  him. 


THE  CEREMONIES  AT  THE  NAVAL  ACADEMY 
JULY  24,  1905 

[Extract  from  "John  Paul  Jones's  I,ast  Cruise  and  Final  Resting  Place,  the  United  States  Naval 
Academy,"  by  Prof.  H.  Marion.] 

On  Monday  morning,  July  24,  the  body  of  America's  greatest  naval  hero  was 
transferred  from  the  Brooklyn  to  the  Naval  Academy  on  the  naval  tug  Standish, 
amid  the  booming  of  guns  fired  in  his  honor  by  the  American  and  French  men-of- 
war,  and  placed  in  the  temporary  vault  that  had  been  erected  for  this  purpose. 

The  ceremonies  at  the  Naval  Academy  were  purely  of  a  naval  character,  neither 
President  Roosevelt  nor  Governor  Warfield,  of  Maryland,  being  present.  They 
took  place  at  10  a.  m.,  when  the  remains  were  landed  from  the  Standish  on  a  beau- 
tifully decorated  float  in  the  basin  facing  the  Severn  River.  Everything  was  done 
with  the  same  precision  and  clocklike  regularity  that  had  characterized  the  whole 
expedition  from  beginning  to  end,  and  nothing  happened  to  mar  the  solemnity  of 
the  occasion.  After  a  heavy  rain,  which  lasted  until  the  early  morning  hours, 
the  sun  shone  brightly  when  the  naval  hero's  remains  reached  the  American 
shore.  They  were  met  at  the  float  by  Rear-Admiral  Sands,  Superintendent  of  the 
Naval  Academy,  Chaplain  Clark,  and  the  commanding  officers  of  the  American  men- 
of-war  of  the  squadron  who  acted  as  pallbearers  with  Captain  Gervais,  of  the  Jurien 
de  la  Graviire,  who  had  sent  a  detachment  of  sailors  from  his  ship  to  act  as  an 
escort  of  honor  with  the  sailors  and  marines  of  the  American  ships  and  the  midship- 
men of  the  fourth  class  of  the  Naval  Academy. 

After  the  leaden  coffin  had  been  placed  in  the  hearse,  the  cortege  proceeded  slowly, 
accompanied  by  the  strains  of  a  funeral  dirge  played  by  the  Naval  Academy  band, 
to  the  front  of  the  temporary  vault,  near  the  new  memorial  chapel,  where  Chaplain 
Clark  read  the  burial  service  and  offered  the  following  prayer: 

"God  of  our  fathers,  we  praise  Thee  for  the  life  and  memory  of  him  whose  mortal 
remains  are  now  to  find  resting  place  under  the  flag  he  so  loved,  in  the  nation  he 
did  so  much  to  create.  We  thank  Thee  that  Thou  didst  show  in  him  qualities  of 
manhood  that  not  only  create  but  preserve  and  perpetuate  nations.  As  all  that  is 
earthly  of  him  is  committed  to  the  reverent  care  and  devotion  of  the  land  whose 
debt  to  him  is  beyond  all  price,  may  the  sublime  lessons  of  his  courage  and  patience 
and  resource  and  hopefulness  and  consecration  be  charged  anew  with  moral  power 


204  Appendix 


to  more  deeply  fire  and  impress  every  American  heart.  Grant  that  the  nation  so 
rich  in  the  heritage  of  great  names  may  more  and  more  guide  its  life  by  standards 
of  highest  honor  and  righteousness.  Free  us  from  every  motive  that  can  pervert 
our  deeds,  that  can  hurt  our  influence  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Make  us 
equal  to  our  high  trust,  reverent  in  our  use  of  freedom,  just  in  the  exercise  of 
power,  tender  and  pitiful  toward  ignorance  and  weakness;  and  may  we  walk 
lovingly  and  humbly  in  Thy  sight,  in  all  these  ways  endeavoring  to  show  the  depth 
of  our  gratitude  for  the  men  who,  by  the  greatness  of  Thy  call  to  them  and  in  the 
execution  of  the  work  allotted  to  them,  made  us  a  sovereign  people,  made  possible 
the  greatness  and  the  happiness  that  crown  our  national  life.  Hear  us,  our 
Heavenly  Father,  in  this  our  prayer,  for  Christ's  sake." 

When  the  prayer  had  been  concluded  the  French  and  American  sailors  who  acted 
as  body  bearers  carried  the  casket  into  the  vault  while  the  Naval  Academy  band 
played  Chopin's  Funeral  March. 

The  pallbearers  then  stepped  back  and  saluted  the  dead  hero,  a  squad  of  marines 
fired  a  volley  over  the  vault,  and  a  bugler  sounded  taps,  the  strains  of  this  exquisite 
tune  dying  out  slowly,  listened  to  by  a  large  crowd  of  reverent  spectators  who 
witnessed  the  ceremony  in  dead  silence.  It  was  a  most  solemn  and  impressive 
spectacle,  forming  a  fitting  finale  to  the  ceremonies  that  had  taken  place  in 
France  in  honor  of  the  famous  sea  captain. 

Thus  ended  this  beautiful  ceremony,  which  now  goes  down  to  history  as  one  of  the 
most  impressive  demonstrations  of  international  honors  ever  paid  to  a  naval  hero. 


ORDER  OF  REAR-ADMIRAL  SANDS 

United  States  Navai,  Academy, 

Annapolis,  Md.,  April  14,  1906. 
The  President  of  the  United  States,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  other  distin- 
guished personages  will  visit  the  Naval  Academy  upon  the  24th  instant  to  take  part 
in  the  commemorative  ceremonies  upon  the  occasion  of  the  transfer  of  the  body  of 
John  Paul  Jones.  The  heads  of  departments  will  accompany  the  Superintendent  to 
the  station  to  meet  the  special  trains  and  escort  the  distinguished  visitors  to  the 
Superintendent's  quarters. 

2.  At  12.45  p.  m.  the  marine  battalion  and  the  band  will  be  drawn  up  opposite  the 
Superintendent's  quarters  to  receive  the  President  upon  his  arrival.  After  the  Presi- 
dential party  has  entered  the  house,  the  marine  battalion  will  be  dismissed  and  will 
be  detailed  as  patrols  and  sentinels,  as  directed  by  the  commandant  of  midshipmen. 

3.  The  brigade  will  be  in  charge  of  Lieutenant-Commander  Hoogewerff ,  U.  S.  Navy, 
assisted  by  Lieutenant-Commander  Reid  and  Lieutenant  Buchanan,  U.  S.  Navy. 

4.  The  commandant  of  midshipmen  is  charged  with  carrying  out  the  detail  of  this 
order,  and  all  officers,  professors,  and  instructors,  except  the  heads  of  departments, 
are  directed  to  report  to  him  for  this  purpose. 

5.  The  first  battalion  of  midshipmen  will  form  at  1.30  p.  m.,  as  for  Sunday  inspec- 
tion, in  the  court  before  Bancroft  Hall,  having  previously  procured  their  muskets 
and  equipments  and  taken  them  to  their  rooms.  They  will  then  march  to  the  ath- 
letic field,  Upshur  row,  to  receive  the  President.  This  battalion  will  be  on  the  line 
at  1.45  p.  m.  sharp,  to  act  as  a  guard  to  the  President. 

6.  The  second  battalion  of  midshipmen  will  form  and  equip  as  above,  then  proceed 
to  the  armory,  forming  in  line  from  Governor  street  to  the  southeast  door  of  the 
armory,  leaving  the  sidewalk  clear.  The  battalions  will,  subsequently,  enter  the 
armory  by  the  northwest  door.  In  case  of  bad  weather,  the  battalions  will  be  formed 
in  the  corridors  of  Bancroft  Hall. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  205 


7.  The  Naval  Academy  Band  will  report  to  Commander  Howard  at  the  armory  for 
instructions  at  1.15  p.  m.  The  band  will  accompany  the  first  battalion  of  midship- 
men to  Upshur  row. 

8.  All  officers,  civilian  professors  and  instructors,  and  the  members  of  their  families 
holding  tickets  of  admission  will  enter  the  armory  by  the  gallery  door  from  the 
colonnade  and  occupy  such  seats  as  will  be  provided  for  them.  All  persons  will  be 
required  to  present  tickets  at  the  door.  Ushers  will  be  appointed  to  attend  in  the 
armory  and  show  visitors  to  designated  seats. 

9.  All  visitors  holding  tickets  for  reserved  seats  will  enter  by  the  northeast  door. 
All  other  visitors  will  enter  by  the  northwest  and  southeast  doors. 

10.  The  President,  escorted  by  the  first  battalion  of  midshipmen  and  the  band, 
will  proceed  from  the  Superintendent's  quarters  to  the  armory  and  enter  by  the 
southwest  door.  When  the  President  enters  the  armory  the  audience  will  rise,  face 
him,  and  remain  standing  until  he  takes  his  seat  on  the  platform.  As  soon  as  the 
President  and  party  have  reached  the  platform  the  first  battalion  of  midshipmen 
will  be  drawn  up  under  the  gallery  opposite  the  speakers'  stand,  facing  the  platform. 
The  second  battalion  will  be  drawn  up  behind  the  speakers'  stand  under  the  gallery. 
Benches  will  be  provided  for  them  on  which  to  sit  after  the  ceremonies  have  com- 
menced.    The  ceremonies  will  then  proceed  in  accordance  with  the  programme. 

1 1 .  At  the  conclusion  of  the  speeches  the  body  will  be  taken  by  the  body  bearers 
(selected  petty  officers  from  the  French  and  American  squadrons)  and,  preceded  by 
both  battalions  of  midshipmen  in  regular  order  and  the  band  playing  a  dirg.>,  be 
borne  to  Bancroft  Hall.  The  court  of  honor  must  be  kept  clear  and  the  midshipmen 
will  form  in  mass  on  either  side  as  the  body  passes  up  the  steps  to  be  deposited  in 
the  crypt  beneath  the  main  stairway.  The  space  in  front  of  Bancroft  Hall  is  to  be 
kept  clear.  The  chaplain  will  precede  the  coffin  and  offer  a  brief  prayer  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  ceremony. 

12.  When  the  ceremonies  over  the  body  have  been  concluded,  the  President  will 
be  escorted  to  the  Superintendent's  quarters  by  the  brigade  of  midshipmen. 

13.  When  the  President  departs,  the  officers  of  the  Naval  Academy  and  the  brigade 
of  midshipmen  will  be  in  attendance. 

14.  The  formation  of  the  procession  from  the  armory  will  be  as  follows: 
Band. 

Escort  (brigade  of  midshipmen). 

Chaplain  of  the  Naval  Academy. 

Coffin. 

Mourners  (reversed  order). 

15.  The  uniform  for  the  day,  after  12  m.,  will  be  special  full  dress. 

16.  No  vehicles,  except  those  in  the  Presidential  procession,  will  be  permitted  to 
enter  the  Academy  grounds  while  the  ceremonies  are  in  progress. 

James  H.  Sands, 
Rear- Admiral,  U.  S.  Navy,  Superintendent. 


ORDER  OF  CAPTAIN  COLVOCORESSES,  U.  S.  NAVY 

[Extract.] 

United  States  Navae  Academy, 

Annapolis,  Md. ,  April  21,  igo6. 
In  accordance  with  the  Superintendent's  order  of  April  14,  1906,  the  following 
details  of  duty  are  hereby  made  for  the  carrying  out  of  that  order  during  the  John 
Paul  Jones  ceremonies  on  April  24,  1906:^ 

fl  Details  of  officers  and  stations  omitted. — Compiler. 


2o6  Appendix 


The  armory  will  not  be  opened  to  the  public  until  i  p.  m. 

A  medical  officer  and  a  sufficient  force  of  attendants  will  be  at  the  hospital  during 
the  ceremonies. 

Lieut.  Commander  H.  J.  Ziegemeier,  U.  S.  Navy,  will  report  to  Lieutenant- 
Commander  Hoogewerff  for  immediate  charge  of  the  casket  and  body  bearers  during 
the  ceremonies  and  transfer  of  the  casket.  He  will  be  assisted  by  Lieutenant 
Jeffers,  U.  S.  Navy. 

At  the  close  of  the  ceremonies  in  the  armory,  when  the  President  and  distin- 
guished persons  who  are  to  be  in  the  cortege  have  left  the  armory,  all  passing 
through  the  northwest  doors  will  be  stopped,  and  the  audience  will  leave  the  armory 
by  the  southeast,  northeast,  and  terrace  doors,  going  from  the  doors  to  the  western 
terrace  of  Bancroft  Hall. 

The  ushers,  when  not  needed  in  the  armory,  will  assist  in  placing  the  public  on 
the  terrace. 

Twelve  midshipmen  from  the  upper  classes  of  the  second  battalion  will  be  detailed 
to  report  to  Lieutenant-Commander  Nulton  at  the  armory  at  12.45  P-  m- 

All  officers  and  others  named  in  this  order,  who  are  not  on  duty  at  that  time,  will 
report  for  instruction  at  the  office  of  the  commandant,  Bancroft  Hall,  at  10  a.  m., 
24th  instant. 

The  French  and  American  battalions  will  be  placed  in  line  by  direction  of  the 
commandant,  first  formation  facing  Blake  row  from  Maryland  avenue  to  the  armory, 
French  battalions  on  the  right,  other  battalions  in  order  of  seniority,  and  salute  the 
President  as  he  passes.  They  will  afterwards  take  up  a  position  facing  Bancroft 
Hall  on  the  brick  walk  from  library  to  Blake  row.  When  the  United  States  cavalry 
join  the  formation,  they  will  occupy  the  right  of  the  line. 

The  casket  containing  the  remains  of  Admiral  Jones  will  be  placed  in  the  armory 
early  in  the  forenoon  of  the  24th  by  men  from  the  Santee,  under  the  supervision  of 
the  officer  in  charge  of  buildings  and  grounds. 

Twenty  body  bearers,  selected  petty  officers  of  the  French  and  American  fleets, 
will  be  chosen  to  carry  the  casket  from  the  armory  to  Bancroft  Hall  by  way  of  the 
shell  road. 

The  space  in  front  of  Bancroft  Hall  between  the  Superintendent's  office  and 
library  and  Sampson's  row  must  be  kept  clear  of  spectators. 

G.  P.  C01.VOCORESSES, 
Captain,  U.  S.  Navy,  Commandant  of  Midshipmen. 


LIST  OF  COMMANDING  OFFICERS   IN  THE   FRENCH  AND 

AMERICAN  NAVAL  FORCES  ASSEMBLED 

AT  ANNAPOLIS 

Rear-Admiral  Sands,  U.  S.  Navy,  Superintendent  Naval  Academy. 

Rear-Admiral  Campion,  commanding  French  Division. 

Rear-Admiral  C.  H.  Davis,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Second  Division. 

Rear-Admiral  R.  B.  Bradford,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Fifth  Division. 

Capt.  B.  F.  Tilley,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Iowa. 

Capt.  E.  D.  Taussig,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Indiana. 

Capt.  G.  Lefevre,  commanding  Aube. 

Capt.  J.  A.  Rodgers,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Illinois. 

Capt.  E.  Guepratte,  commanding  Marseillaise. 

Capt.  A.  Huguet,  commanding  Conde. 

Capt.  G.  P.  Colvocoresses,  U.  S.  Navy,  commandant  of  midshipmen. 

Capt.  S.  P.  Comly,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Alabama. 


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Joh?i    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  207 


Commander  E.  F.  Qualtrough,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Cleveland. 

Commander  W.  F.  Halsey,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Des  Moines. 

Commander  B.  A.  Fisk,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Minneapolis. 

Commander  J.  C.  Colwell,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Denver. 

Commander  J.  Batellet,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Commander  B.  Vergos,  Executive  officer  Aube. 

Commander  F.  Boyer,  Executive  officer  Marseillaise. 

Commander  M.  Delahet,  Executive  officer  Condi. 

Lieut.  Commander  A.  G.  Long,  U.  S.  Navy,  commanding  Mayflower. 


PROGRAMME 

PARTICIPATED  IN   BY 

Theodore  Roosevei/t, 
President  of  the  United  States. 

His  Excellency,  J.  J.  Jusserand, 
Ambassador  E.  and  P.  of  the  French  Republic. 

The  Honorable  Charges  J.  Bonaparte, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

The  Honorable  Edwin  Warfiew>, 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Maryland. 

General  Horace  Porter, 
of  New  York. 

Chaplain  Henry  H.  Ci<ark,  U.  S.  N. 

With  Music  by  the  Oratorio  Society  of  Baltimore, 

Under  the  direction  of  Joseph  Pache, 

And  the  U.  S.  Marine  Band, 

Under  the  direction  of  Lieut.  W.  H.  Santelmann. 


"The  Star-Spangled  Banner  " Oratorio  Society 

Address The  President  of  the  United  States 

"The  Marseillaise  " Oratorio  Society 

Address The  French  Ambassador 

"Around  About  Thy  Starry  Throne,"  Handel Oratorio  Society 

Address !  General  Porter 

"Maryland,  My  Maryland  " Oratorio  Society 

Address Governor  Warfield 

"How  Sleep  the  Brave "  Oratorio  Society 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises,  the  audience  is  requested  to  rise  and  remain 
standing  while  the  casket  is  removed  from  the  hall. 


2o8  Appendix 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  SWORD  PRESENTED  BY  LOUIS  XVI 
TO  JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

This  fine  specimen  of  the  sword-smith's  craft  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Richard  Dale, 
of  Philadelphia.  It  was  kindly  lent  by  him  and  brought  to  Annapolis  by  Dr.  W. 
Wharton  Hollingsworth,  representing  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Cincin- 
nati, for  the  commemorative  exercises  of  April  24,  1907,  and  was  lying  on  the 
casket  during  the  services.  It  was  in  the  custody  of  Capt.  George  P.  Colvocoresses, 
U.  S.  Navy,  until  its  return  to  Mr.  Dale. 

The  blade  is  a  four-sided,  double-edged  rapier,  of  finest  steel,  33^  inches  long, 
tapering  to  a  point,  and  blued  for  1 1  inches  from  the  hilt.  Inlaid  in  gold  are  figures 
representing  the  sun,  trophies,  and  the  French  royal  arms  of  three  fleurs  de  lis,  sur- 
mounted by  a  crown.  The  motto  "Vive  le  Roy"  is  engraved  on  both  sides.  The 
following  inscription «  C  somewhat  illegible,  as  the  gold  inlay  has  fallen  out  in 
places)  is  below  the  guard  plate: 

VINDICATI  MARIS 

LUDOVICUS  XVI 

REMUNERATOR 
STRENUO  VINDICI. 

On  the  reverse  side  is  lightly  engraved  a  motto  which  has  become  obliterated  by 
time. 

The  name  of  the  maker,  or  more  probably  the  furnisher,  is  on  the  blade:  "La 
Veuve  Guilmino,  Versailles." 

The  hilt  is  of  gold,  richly  chased  with  figures  and  floral  decorations.  The  pommel 
is  made  up  of  two  designs,  the  figure  of  Neptune  with  his  trident  in  high  relief,  and 
the  three  fleurs  de  lis.  The  grip  is  ornamented  on  the  obverse  with  figures  of 
Hercules  and  Mars  in  medallions,  festoons,  and  ribbons  held  in  the  mouth  of  a 
mythological  animal,  and  a  standard  of  flags;  the  reverse  side  shows  the  three  fleurs 
de  lis,  Roman  soldier,  trophies,  and  Greek  soldier. 

The  upper  surface  of  the  guard  plate  is  ornamented  on  both  sides;  on  one,  in  a 
medallion,  is  the  figure  of  Minerva  standing,  also  a  rising  sun;  on  the  other,  is  Mars. 
The  lower  surface  of  the  plate  has  a  similar  medallion  of  Minerva  and  fleur  de  lis. 
The  pas  d'ane  and  finger  guard  are  beautifully  chased  with  floral  designs  and  termi- 
nate in  dolphin  heads. 

The  scabbard  is  of  black  leather,  the  mountings  of  gold,  engraved  with  trophies 
and  arms.  The  drag  is  quite  plain.  The  sword  is  in  a  wooden  case,  fitted  to  its 
shape  and  lined  with  chamois  skin  and  the  outside  covered  with  red  morocco  leather. 


JOHN  PAUL  JONES'S  SWORD 

[Newspaper  extract,  Washington  Evening  Star,  December  27,  1906.] 

In  practically  the  same  condition  as  when  it  was  used  by  its  distinguished  owner, 
the  sword  of  John  Paul  Jones  now  rests  in  the  Library  of  the  Navy  Department, 
where  it  has  been  placed  by  Commander  Reginald  F.  Nicholson,  U.  S.  Navy.  The 
tradition  was  that  Jones  wanted  it  to  be  given  to  the  senior  officer  of  the  Navy,  but 
that,  however,  has  never  been  established,  and  the  sword  has  been  in  the  possession 
of  a  number  of  persons  outside  the  Navy.     It  is  believed  that  the  weapon  originally 

«This  inscription  has  been  erroneously  published  as  "Vindicator  Ludovicus  XVI 
remunerator  strenuo  victor"  in  Proceedings  of  the  Numismatic  and  Antiqua- 
rian Society  of  Philadelphia,  1904-5,  p.  41,  and  in  proceedings  of  the  U.  S.  Naval 
Institute,  June,  1907,  p.  711. 


John    Paul  Jones    Commemoration  209 


was  given  to  Jones  by  the  North  Carolina  family  of  that  name  at  the  time  he 
changed  his  own  name,  in  compliment  to  them. 

From  the  best  records  obtainable,  some  of  which  are  verified  by  letters  and  other 
documents  in  the  Navy  Department,  the  sword  was  given  by  Jones  himself  to 
Theodosia  Burr,  daughter  of  Aaron  Burr.  Theodosia  Burr,  after  marrying  Joseph 
Alston,  a  wealthy  and  talented  young  planter  of  South  Carolina,  who  in  after  years 
became  governor  of  the  State,  presented  it  to  Judge  Matthew  Davis,  of  Charleston, 
who  gave  it  to  Reverend  Doctor  Ducachet,  of  Philadelphia.  The  latter  gave  it  to 
Commodore  Somerville  Nicholson,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  the  Commodore  gave  it  to  its 
present  owner,  Commander  Nicholson. 

It  is  30  inches  long — longer  than  the  cutlass — and  is  of  the  style  commonly  termed 
a  "gentleman's  sword,"  in  vogue  in  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries.  It  is 
beautiful  in  design,  very  strong,  and  highly  tempered.  The  qualities  as  to  shape 
and  temper  are  very  remarkable.  The  hilt  is  of  white  brass  with  the  portion  known 
technically  as  the  basket  broken  away.  The  tang  is  wide  and  strong,  and  the  grip 
piece  of  the  handle  is  of  wood  covered  with  twisted  copper  wire. 

A  number  of  scars  appear  on  the  edge  of  the  blade,  indicating  that  Jones  frequently 
had  been  engaged  in  hand-to-hand  encounters. 


LIST  OF  RECIPIENTS  OF  CASTS  FROM  THE  BUST  OF  JOHN 
PAUL  JONES  IN  THE  NATIONAL  ACADEMY  OF  DESIGN, 
NEW  YORK 

[From  memorandum  of  Mr.  Frank  D.  Millet,  under  whose  direction  these  casts  were  made  and 

distributed.] 

Fourteen  casts  in  plaster  and  six  in  bronze  were  made  in  1904  from  the  plaster 
terra-cotta  colored  bust  of  John  Paul  Jones  by  Houdon. 

A  cast  in  plaster  was  furnished  to  each  of  the  following  persons  and  institutions: 

National  Academy  of  Design,  New  York. 

Corcoran  Art  Gallery,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Trocadero  Museum,  Paris. 

National  Museum,  Berlin. 

South  Kensington  Museum,  London. 

Mr.  Herbert  Adams,  New  York. 

Mr.  Irving  R.  Wiles,  New  York. 

Mr.  J.  Alden  Weir,  New  York. 

Mr.  Sargent  Kendall,  New  York. 

Capt.  John  S.  Barnes,  New  York. 

Mr.  John  L,.  Cadwalader,  New  York. 

Mr.  F.  D.  Millet,  in  England. 

Mr.  F.  D.  Millet,  in  New  York. 

Bronze  founder  in  New  York  (plaster  cast  ruined  in  making  casts  in  bronze). 
A  cast  in  bronze  was  furnished  to  each  of  the  following  persons  and  institutions: 

Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C. 

U.  S.  Naval  Academy,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Gen.  Horace  Porter,  New  York. 

Mr.  J.  Alden  Weir,  New  York. 

Capt.  John  S.  Barnes,  New  York. 

Mr.  John  I.  Waterbury,  Morristown,  N.  J. 

Note. — The  frontispiece  in  this  volume  and  the  Trocadero  bust,  used  in  identifica- 
tion of  Jones's  body  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Frank  D.  Millet,  from  the  original 
plaster  terra-cotta  colored  bust  in  the  National  Academy  of  Design,  New  York.  It  has 
been  suggested  that  this  is  the  original  made  by  Houdon's  hands  in  1780. — Compiler. 

7257—07 14 


2io  Appendix 


NOTES  REGARDING  JOHN  PAUL  JONES 

The  miniature  of  John  Paul  Jones,  said  to  have  been  painted  by  the  Countess  de 
La  Vendahl,  is  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy.  It  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  United  States  Navy  through  Lieut.  A.  B.  Pinkham.  (See  Mackenzie,  Life 
of  Paul  Jones,  and  article  by  Prof.  P.  R.  Alger  in  Naval  Institute,  1905.) 

The  gold  sword  presented  to  Jones  by  King  Louis  XVI  is  owned  by  Mr.  Richard 
Dale,  of  Philadelphia.  The  history  of  this  weapon  is  given  in  proceeding  of  U.  S. 
Naval  Institute,  June,  1907,  by  Mr.  Charles  Henry  Hart.  Another  sword,  once 
owned  by  Jones,  is  the  property  of  Commander  R.  F.  Nicholson,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Miss  Curtis,  of  Schenectady,  N.  Y. ,  claims  to  possess  the  original  of  Jones's  com- 
mission of  October  10,  1776.  On  a  facsimile  copy,  in  Sherburne's  life  of  John  Paul 
Jones,  edition  of  1 851,  it  is  stated  that  the  original  was  owned  by  Sherburne. 

The  uniform  of  the  Navy,  as  worn  by  Jones,  is  given  in  Sherburne's  "Life,"  etc., 
and  American  Archives,  series  5,  vol.  2,  p.  181,  Res.  Marine  Committee,  Sept.  5,  1776. 

Description  of  the  Order  of  Military  Merit  is  given  in  Nouveau  Larousse,  vol.  16, 
p.  38,  and  files  of  Navy  Department  library,  No.  3702. 

Lists  of  those  who  served  on  ships  commanded  by  Jones  are  in  Sherburne's  and 
Buell's  biographies  and  copies  of  the  log  books. 

Songs,  verses,  and  poems  referring  to  Jones:  See  naval  song  books,  Paul  Jones 
Miscellany,  Seawell,  Brady,  and  other  lives.  Verses  by  him  are  in  Sherburne  and 
other  biographies. 

Mention  that  Jones  experimented  with  torpedoes.     (See  Life  by  M.  E.  Seawell.) 

Coat  of  mail  worn  by  Jones,  mentioned  in  New  York  Times,  July  15,  1905.  (See 
John  Paul  Jones  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  I,  p.  57.) 

Private  Signals,  John  Paul  Jones  Miscellany,  vol.  3,  "John  Paul  Jones's  Last 
Cruise,"  by  Prof.  H.  Marion. 

A  flag  of  the  Bonhomme  Richard  is  at  U.  S.  National  Museum.  (See  John  Paul 
Jones  Miscellany,  vol.  2,  pt.  1.) 


o 


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